Helpful advice needed

[Deneez99]

Ok so I need more help. 14 months into my PMR journey and was down to 5.5 mg of prednisalone a day. However the last couple of weeks I have been having some pain and struggling to walk more than 15 to 30 min. My question is the last time I felt ok was about 2 months ago whilst on 7mg so should I go back to that or persevere in 5.5 for a few more weeks. Advice gladly received.

Thanks Denise xx

[SnazzyD]

Can you describe where the pain is and what it’s like?

[Deneez99 in reply to SnazzyD]

It's mainly my hips legs and feet but also a cross my shoulders

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Persevering at current level is likely to just make things worse. as you’ve obviously gone below level you actually need.

Try 7mg initially, hopefully it will be enough to get the inflammation back under control…if it’s going work you should know by about a week’s time.

If so, then stay there for another couple of weeks after that to really make sure before you start reducing again…and then maybe a slower taper like the one I recommended a couple of posts ago.

You are not reducing relentlessly to zero, you are trying to find lowest dose to control symptoms, so you need to make sure each dose is enough before you reduce again….

…guidelines say 1mg every 4-8 weeks once you get below 10mg….many ppl find 0.5mg per step per month is best option once below 7mg.

14 months is not very long, so just slow down on your tapering ….and stop the yo-yoing up and down.

If the 7mg doesn't work, you may need to follow the advice in linked post to dealing with a flare…obviously adjusting numbers given in example to your own circumstances -

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

[piglette]

I have discovered it is a waste of time trying to persevere on a dose if you have pain. PMR is always in charge. You could try going back to 7mg where you were comfortable, if that does not work go to 10mg for a week to hit the PMR on the head and then drop back to 7mg. If that is OK just drop down again.

[cmToddy]

My advice is to go back to 7mg for 4 wks then do the slow taper recommended taper circulated by Dorset Lady.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Don't try to tough it out - it will just get worse. DL has said all I;d say.