hypertension anxiety and trying to reduce steroids

[debzone24]

hi I am currently starting to reduce my steroids for PMR. Went up to 25mg and now after a month on it reduced over two months too 20mg I have hypertension and anxiety. Has anyone managed to reduce faster than once a month by 2.5 mg. my bp High

[piglette]

When I first was diagnosed my rheumatologist wanted me to reduce by 5mg after three weeks, it was a total disaster in my case!

[debzone24 in reply to piglette]

tbh I haven’t been on this site before and read but everything i am reading reassures me about the symptoms I am getting. I am not on my own !

[piglette in reply to debzone24]

It is good to feel you are not alone.

[Wallysma in reply to piglette]

WORD! me too! It has been months to try to fix it and find a new starting point. Started this in May when the rheumy gave me those directions which became a nightmare. Now after all these months I think I might have found a starting point. We will see how it goes.

[piglette in reply to Wallysma]

My rheumy was a nightmare too. He pushed me to reduce and only gave me 5mg pred tablets. It went on for six months and then I ditched him. I am sure it was his fault that I had trouble reducing as I needed to yo yo up and down.

[SheffieldJane]

Not really a good idea, it will probably make the anxiety worse and may well fail. Are you being treated for the steroid induced hypertension? I am. Stick at 10% drops. It’s quicker in the long run.

[debzone24 in reply to SheffieldJane]

I am o; beta blockers but the anxiety isnt helping. However I am goin* to stick with reducing every four weeks by 2.5 mg till I get to 10 mg if i can slow but steady

[SheffieldJane in reply to debzone24]

Good plan! Hopefully the anxiety will wear off. Mine did or I got used to it or as the dose lowered it just went. I take Magnesium which is a calming supplement. Do you check your own blood pressure? I got a good little machine for around £30.00.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Some do - the recommended reduction approach is not more than 10% of the current dose but a few people manage 5mg at a time at higher doses. It all depends what dose you are likely to need in the end - you aren't reducing relentlessly to zero, you are looking for the lowest dose that gives the same symptom relief as the starting dose did.

In the early stages the amount you need is likely to be higher until the accumulated inflammation is cleared out and only the daily new batch of inflammation must be dealt with. But some people are also very sensitive to the change in dose - and that makes for a ot of discomfort when the body must adjust to big steps quickly.

And no - you are definitely NOT alone!