Taper interrupted by bronchial infection? What to do?

[jsretaw]

I have PMR and I have tapered over the past 2 years from 20 mg to 2.5 mg and was on my way to 2.0 with a 5 week taper. I was in week three.

This past Monday my GP put me on an antibiotic (doxicycline) for 7 days and 40 mg of prednisone for 5 days because of a bronchial infection. I told him I was tapering and he said "you will be fine, you can go to 2 mg after 5 days on 40.

I just took my last dose of 40 mg this morning and I am wondering if I should go back to where I was on the taper or should I try to go straight to 2.0? Any experience or knowledge of what my best course of action should be is appreciated. Thanks for any input.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

I wouldn’t go to 2mg as suggested, I’d probably go back to 2.5mg -and make sure that everything was okay before I restarted taper.

You aren’t sure how you will feel following infection.

[MrsNails]

If you’ve had a chest infecting requiring doxicycline & 40mg Pred - l personally would not continue my taper but sit at 2.5mg until you feel better…..

Chest Infections always take some recovering from - so see how you feel before you start to taper again.

Feel Better Soon 🍀

[jinasc]

I would see if you can et VSL 3 in the States - very good for restoring good guys bacteria, antibiotics kill both good and bad guys.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

If I were going to taper wouldn't go to 2mg - but I might resume the taper where I stopped. You are just returning to the baseline you were at pre-bronchitis. Though after 5 days - you won't be fully recovered so maybe Sick Day Rules might apply for a few more days and bit more pred than 2.5mg would help you recover better.

[jsretaw]

Thanks to all for the input. Greatly appreciated.