yet another tapering query

[Bubble56]

I had to up pred from 2.5 to 4 mg 4 weeks ago. CRP and ESR back down to “ acceptable “ levels so can I go back to 2.5 mg or should I go through the slow tapering process down again? Thank you for your help in anticipation!

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Provided you feel okay -but I would go to 3mg rather than 2.5mg as that’s where the issue was before -just to be on safe side.

At such low doses 0.5mg really can make a big difference! .

[Bubble56 in reply to DorsetLady]

That’s sounds a wise decision- thank you!

[piglette]

You can go straight back down within two weeks but after four weeks you may find you need to taper.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Like DL, I'd say go via 3mg. 2.5mg obviously wasn't enough. At those doses you might manage going straight down but it is difficult to say. Even the 4mg should be low enough to encourage adrenal function.

[Bubble56 in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you PMR pro, 🤞🤞🤞

[mrpullings]

I'm sure every rheumatologist has differing options on the matter, but mine was more concerned about how I felt physically than what the numbers were - so we used that as a guide to whether I would go up or down on the prednisone. (Unless of course the numbers were concerning which after the initial dx, they rarely were.)

[Bubble56 in reply to mrpullings]

Thank you for your reply and I understand what you are saying- my GP would be of the same opinion.