DSNS when to start in the tapering process?

[Dochaz]

I have read all the information on slowing down the tapering process in the FAQs (and thank you for putting this section in an easily accessible place) but at what point in the Pred journey should the programme be applied? I have GCA and PMR and am currently on 25 mg, due to reduce to 22.5 in a week. Tapering every month so far since March and the drop from 30 to 25 mg has been a bit more complicated... return of moderate shoulder and hip pain and less energy, though no comparison to what I had before treatment. Is it too early to start fractioning and spacing? All the posts seem to refer to single figure doses.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

There's no hard and fast rule, you can start whenever you like, but most people find it's not necessaary until they get lower - but if you felt last dose was a bit precarious, then start with next taper...although it might just have been that 5mg was too much last time, you may find 2.5mg is better.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

When YOU start to struggle with a reduction for some reason. I said somewhere else today - when I developed DSNS we had just realised (on another forum) that some people struggle with 1mg even above 20mg at times. Everyone is different and if you notice what you have been doing isn't working as well you need to start thinking about your approach. Better to choose than be forced into it.