30mg to zero in five days??

[LBM1953]

Not about PMR per se. Friend has a severe chest infection and as part of his medication has been prescribed 30 mg of steroids for five days, then zero. I am just wondering how this is possible given all the advice about tapering?

[PMRpro Ambassador]

They won't be taking it for long enough to suppress adrenal function - it takes a few weeks to get to the stage of needing to taper. I actually started with pred on a 6 weeks taper. two weeks each of 15, 10 and 5 and stop. No problem - except of course the PMR resurfaced!

[LBM1953 in reply to PMRpro]

Hi. Thanks for replying. Question. If one has got down to say 3 mg and has "iffy" symptoms i.e not full blown PMR could one not do the same and take a big dose for a few days and then stop? Regards. Len

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to LBM1953]

Not stop to zero no, that could make you ill - you have to taper all the way down for the benefit of your adrenal glands too. That is something we suggest for minor flares or even query flares as you taper: add 5mg to the current dose for a week to 10 days and go back to the previous dose where you were good. Pred doesn't cure the inflammation of PMR - it is a management strategy to manage ongoing creation of inflammation.

[LBM1953 in reply to PMRpro]

Many thanks....👍

[MrsNails]

This is a Standard Treatment for people with a Bad Chest Infection & can even be given to us by Drs if necessary - it takes at least three weeks for any longer term need to taper for someone not on Prednisolone long term.

[piglette]

If you take say 30mg for a week the adrenal glands do not have time to go to sleep and so you can stop immediately without tapering. If you have been taking steroids for along time and get down to 3mg your adrenal glands are still sleepy and will complain about you suddenly stopping.

[Estellemac]

People who have COPD or other chest/ breathing problems usually have this short term steroid treatment you need to be on them for over 4 weeks before you need a slow taper