Flare or not?: I have been reducing pred by 1mg... - PMRGCAuk

PMRGCAuk

21,303 members40,390 posts

Flare or not?

Esmeruth7 profile image
6 Replies

I have been reducing pred by 1mg per month. Reduced to 7mg on 1st August and 6mg on 1st Sept. I had a nasty virus a few weeks ago and have felt really bad since i.e.usual pain and stiffness at onset of PMR. To top it all last week was told I am not able to drive again because my eyesight has declined so much since last Dec. (Hasten to add I do have Dry Macular Degeneration but this was well controlled until I had to go on steroids).

Advice would be very much appreciatedwhether I should increase steroids.

Written by
Esmeruth7 profile image
Esmeruth7
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
6 Replies
DorsetLady profile image
DorsetLadyPMRGCAuk volunteer

This link gives general advice on dealing with a flare - healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

..but honestly if you’ve felt unwell for a few weeks you really shouldn’t have attempted a reduction on 1 Sept….

…once you get things back under control with extra Pred then reduce to 7mg, NOT 6mg, and maybe try 0,5mg reductions p in future, you are getting into the realms of your adrenals needing to reawaken, and that’s sometimes difficult, so the slower tapers the better.

Sorry about your driving……

Esmeruth7 profile image
Esmeruth7 in reply toDorsetLady

Thankyou so much for your advice..

Smithie49 profile image
Smithie49

Good luck with your tapering and thank you, Dorsetlady for your reply. I am also on a 1mg per month reduction but struggle below 7mg . I have been on 6 for a few weeks but the neck and more recently the groin stiffness is back. I've been exerting myself too - probably overdone it with camping and (minor) hiking trips. I don't want to accept that being over 70 should make me sensible but maybe I should take heed of the advice I've read on here and go slower now I've got PMR. Grrrrr!!!!

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply toSmithie49

And don't forget you aren't heading relentlessly to zero - you are looking for the lowest effective dose for YOU. Not the same thing at all. It doesn't mean you won't get lower - just not yet ...

DorsetLady profile image
DorsetLadyPMRGCAuk volunteer in reply toSmithie49

Being sensible in 70s? Couldn’t possibly comment-😂🤣…

But do try 0.5mg in future-once you’ve got everything settled down - doing what you need to achieve that….

Pippah45 profile image
Pippah45

I have had to reduce by .25 since I got to 7 pred. Even .5 was too tough but fingers crossed I get to 6 next week.

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

Is it a flare or not ?

Hi All , was doing so well 2 week ago dropped to 7.5mg Pred , then a week later I got a cold...
Gaz227 profile image

I'm new here, but not new to PMR

It's encouraging to me to hear how you all are coping with PMR. My 1st bout with PMR was 13 years...
Janll profile image

GCA or not ……..

Good evening, I am after your thoughts and advice please. I had a drs appointment this afternoon...
Jlml profile image

PMR flare or something else?

Hi. As a quick update I have been on steroids for PMR since Jan 2012. Up and down like a yo-yo over...
wendyanne49 profile image

PMR flare or not so gentle yoga?

Greetings, I have had PMR about 2.5 years now and managed to taper off prednisone summer of 2021. I...
SandyBoots profile image

Moderation team

SophieMB profile image
SophieMBPartner

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.