Reducing (again)

[Pippah45]

Hello again wonderful people. I have been on 7mg Pred for what seems like a very long time - it's over a year for PMR and GCA. I few months ago I tried reducing to 6.5 and pain returned with a vengeance. I had a hip replacement in February and all went wonderfully well. I have tried again 5 days ago with 6.75 and fingers crossed all is well. Despite having a crashing fall at the Lincolnshire Show on Wednesday - a lot of resultant muscle pain on the tops of my thighs from trying to save myself and some spectacular bruising all is well. Question is how long would you stay at 6.75 and then drop to 6.50? Thanks in advance.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

At least until you have recovered from that fall!! A fall can trigger a flare - no extra risks!

[123mossie]

Do you use the dsns tapering regime? It’s pretty slow, over 5 weeks & ive found it very useful. It’s slow enough to find out if you’re ok on the lower dose before reducing again. Hope you’re better soon.

[Pippah45 in reply to 123mossie]

Thank you - it's such a long time since I tried to reduce I will look up the dns method again. I am happy with so far so good especially with the fall thrown in!

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Ouch….as PMRpro says, no rush until fully recovered from fall…and use arnica cream to help the bruising.

As you’ve discovered, reducing at the level you are at is a slow process, so a month at each dose, or as suggested if you are using a slower taper that’s about the time it takes anyway.

Good luck.

[Pippah45]

Thank you very much. I remembered the arnica pills and wished I had them in the car with me but the bruises have slightly broken skin so I didn't put the cream on. Thank you I will stick to it for at least 4 weeks.

I am delighted .25 is going ok because .5 was a disaster!

[pegpowell in reply to Pippah45]

I was at 6 mgs after a year of PMR and then had knee replacement. A few months after the op I had to up to 7 and stay there for about a year as PMR still active. I use Dorset Lady's reduction schedule and now am at 3 mgs, 6th year.

[Pippah45 in reply to pegpowell]

Thank you for sharing that - I was on 7 for ages running up to a new hip and I think I reduced by .5 to get there. Well done for getting to 3 mg. I think I am in my 4th year but losing count1

[Koalajane]

I reduce slowly by .25mg and it works for me

[Pippah45 in reply to Koalajane]

Thank you - I had been on 7 for so long I had forgotten how to do it - although I don't think I reduced by .25 before.