advice please?

struggling to reduce from 15 pred (since feb).

down to 12.5 now but some pains returning and pred relief gone from 18hrs to about 12,

rheumy wants me to start azathioprine but im scared to cos of side effects

is it 'normal' to have these bad withdrawal pains? are withdrawal pains the same as pmr pains?

thanks

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

This is a post which explains steroid withdrawal and a flare , but I would adk - did you try to reduce from 15 to 12.5mg in one go? That may be your problem - albeit a recognised taper. Or are you trying to do too much for the dose you are on? healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

Maybe also have a look at this post for more general info - healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

[piglette]

I think I would go back to the point I was last comfortable, knock the PMR on the head and when you feel OK reduce more slowly eg 1mg at a time. Some people can take large reductions, some people, like me, can’t! I had a rheumatologist who wanted me to reduce like a bat out of hell, it just made me feel like death warmed up and in fact slowed the reduction. Probably a good idea to mention any changes to your doctor. Doctors seem very keen on steroid sparing agents. I suppose they feel they are doing something and patients like to be given pills to make them feel someone cares. I suppose they do work for some people on the other hand.

[Christie22]

I would also go along with the slower taper much slower 0.5 at a time …and holding that drop for at least a week or so then only drop again if your symptoms allow . Now re Azathioprine I am not taking this at the minute but I have in the past for around 18 months now everyone is different but I didn’t have any side effects with this medication . Just to mention I had terrible side affects with hydroxycloriquine as I ve said we are all different ..hope any of this helps x