4 mgs for a year now

[Poshdog]

Seem to be stuck on 4 mgs. Have moved house with 99 year old mother and autistic son and now in rented, which is probably not helping. Can really answer my own questions thanks to all contributions from this amazing site, think I am looking for reassurance.

[SheffieldJane]

You have such a lot on your plate. Happy you found us - welcome!

[Koalajane]

Hi, I have just looked at my steroid card and was on 5 mg for 6 months, I very slowly reduced to 4.5mg ,then 4.25mg and have been on 4mg for 3 weeks. I have realised it is not a rush. I hope I can reduce in a month but I am not rushing it. Good luck

[Poshdog in reply to Koalajane]

Thank you. I really know what I am supposed to be doing - see my reply to Highlandtiger. Appreciate the support from all of you.

[Highlandtiger]

Not surprised you’re stuck with all that going on. I was stuck on 5mg for over a year. GP wasn’t too bothered. I’d let things settle down a bit before trying again if I were you.

[Poshdog in reply to Highlandtiger]

Thank you. So much to think about, momentarily losing my way. Have to register with new GP, will be interesting to see their attitude. Old GP just let me get on with it. Mixed blessing!

[PMRpro Ambassador]

That is what you were aiming for - a low dose that is effective in managing your PMR symptoms. Prof Dasgupta told us last summer that he often keeps patients on 2-3mg long term as it reduced the likelihood of relapses. I prefer the idea of very very slowly trying for 2mg, even 1mg, but taking months over each dose and many people do find that 1mg works even if zero doesn't. But many don't get to zero.

[fmkkm in reply to PMRpro]

I agree, I have been on 3.5 forever with a goal of 2 mg. My Rheumatologist agrees that a low maintenance dose is just fine. I am really struggling getting below 3.5 so I’ve taken a break for a few weeks to try again. It has been a hard year and that affects it too.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to fmkkm]

And it is amazing the difference a holiday from trying to reduce can make in the longer term!

[2013mayo]

Hi,

I was slowly cutting down my pred but obviously not slow enough, I’d got to 3mg and bang, it it all started off again, I had to go back up to 10-15mg for a few days to get me right again, I’m now taking 6mg and in no rush to reduce at the moment.

I think take what suits you best.

Take care

Xx

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to 2013mayo]

Going slow, however slow, won't get you beyond the lowest dose that is enough to manage the current level of inflammation. Going slow just gets you there with less pain ...

[Poshdog in reply to PMRpro]

I so know!!!!

[2013mayo in reply to PMRpro]

Oh I agree.Xx

[whitefishbay]

This is one of the worst and most stressful years ever - why rush. Stress aggravates everything. Be nice to yourself as it is not a race. I have been on 1mg for years now. Even when I try to go to 1/2 I feel super stiff......

[Poshdog in reply to whitefishbay]

I really do know but lost my way! Thank you for encouragement.

[SusanEleven]

I stayed at 4mg for a year and my rheumatologist was fine with it. I was eventually able to reduce very slowly.