How long the taper

[Southmead]

Hello,

A couple of things, for some reason I stopped receiving the HU notifications?

Hopefully by posting this question it puts me back in the swing of things. 5 days ago I tapered down from 6mm Pred to 5mm Pred. The stiffness in hips and shoulders returned immediately. I'm persevering , but my question is how long should I continue with the 5mm, or how long do the increased symptoms last during the taper? I am always surprised at the difference 1mm makes.

Thank You

[piglette]

If pain appears immediately it could be steroid withdrawal. It normally lasts a couple of days or so. PMR reaction usually takes a little longer, if you still have pain it is possible you have reduced too low. A 1mg reduction is quite high. It is 20%. I normally reduce by 0.5mg at that level.

[Southmead in reply to piglette]

Thank you, I will try the 1/2 mm taper.

[piglette in reply to Southmead]

Good luck.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Immediate pain suggests steroid withdrawal but it should then improve over the following couple of weeks as your body gets used to the new dose. Is it at least the same? Or worsening?

Did you just go from every day 6 to every day 5mg? Or did you use one of the slowed tapers? That is about a 17% dose change - 10% is the maximum recommended step down so 1.2mg at a time would be better too.

Look at your profile page and look at your setting and see what you have selected and saved. If that doesn't help - contact HU Support and ask for their help.

[Southmead in reply to PMRpro]

I went straight from 6mm to 5mm. I will try with the 1/2 mm see how that goes. It's pretty much the same, perhaps an increase in shoulder pain.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Southmead]

If it stays stable fair enough - but not if it increases.

[cranberryt in reply to Southmead]

Most of us find that under 10mg, we need 1/2mg drops and must follow a slower plan. Like the dead slow or every other day, etc. 1mg all at once is going to be hard.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

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