10,9,8 or 10,9.5, 9,

[Elbowpiece]

I wrote recently that my rheumy moved me from 10 pred to 7.5 in one go and it didn't work. Gp put it back to 10 and wait until l see phone rheumy again. He wants me back to 5mg but wanted to start at 7.5.l told him it didn't work, l felt pain and unwell when l did and l got the impression he didn't believe me. He said if GP will give me 10mg l can taper at 1mg less, but at how long do l wait before l reach 9,or is it better if l go down in half mgs. Read on here the symptoms dictate, not what the rheumy thinks you should be or not be experiencing. It was over the phone and l could tell he just didn't get it. As if this will go away tomorrow when the postman brings the fairy dust. My latest blood CPR was 5 which from 181 in December 2020 is an improvement but l don't feel a 5. Diagnosed GCA LVV aorta Pet scan 2020 Dec.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

BSR Suggested tapering regimen -

40-60mg prednisolone continued for 4 weeks (until resolution of symptoms and laboratory abnormalities).

Then dose is reduced by 10mg every 2 weeks to 20 mg.

Then by 2.5mg every 2-4 weeks to 10mg.

Then by 1mg every 1-2 months provided there is no

relapse.

So really whether you choose to reduce by 1mg a month or 0.5mg is how you feel. I did 1mg until I reached 6mg and then switched to 0.5mg

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Try 1mg and see if it works - it often does. But he is being impatient after not even a year with an LVV dignosis. The pred didn't cure it - and it would be unusual if it were entirely gone. GCA in general frequently flares in the first 18 months and the most common reason for a flare is - tada: reducing too far or too fast.

[jinasc in reply to PMRpro]

Too true.

[piglette]

I must admit under 10mg half a mg a month works well for me. Some people can manage 1mg, but no more I would have thought.

[Telian in reply to piglette]

Me too , can only do .5mg - got to 7.5mg with difficulty - second time around.

[ChinaWuntoo]

My (ex) rheumatologist wanted me to drop from 10mg to 7.5mg and I said 'No'. I decided to follow the DSNS regimen at 1mg each 8 week period and was fine until I tried to get from 5mg, changing to .5mg - then I got adrenals playing up and went back to 5.5 for three weeks where I am now. Hopefully back tapering in two weeks' time by .5mg each 8 weeks' period.

My GP accepts what I suggest, thankfully.