tapering, nausea, steroid withdrawal, adrenal glands

[LucilleG]

I’m currently tapering from 6 mg to 5.5 mg. I’ve been using the DSNS plan, and have been tapering down by 0.5 mg every 4-5 weeks since I got to 8 mg.

After being at 6 mg for about 9 days, I went down to 5.5 mg (last Wednesday) for one day, then returned to 6 mg (doing 5 days). On Saturday, I woke up to dizziness and nausea. I wasn’t able to go for my morning walk and could only eat dry toast. I did take Gravol, which helped somewhat. Later on, my neck started to hurt. That is the place on my body that lets me know that I may be having a flare or I’m going through steroid withdrawal. Usually I get niggles there, but this was a bit more than that. I did take Tylenol and the pain went away, so it was steroid withdrawal. I was able to take my dog for a short walk Saturday evening. On Sunday, things were mostly back to normal, although I still stuck to bland food. Today, I feel back to normal.

My question is - should I keep going with my taper? I'm set to go down to 5.5 mg tomorrow, and then four days of 6 mg, as per DSNS. Or should I extend the taper - do 7 days in-between the 5.5 mg doses instead of the five days?

[SheffieldJane]

I think that your own assessment of what is happening sounds pretty spot on. There is no getting away from the difficulty at this stage of tapering. It needs to be done so slowly and carefully in tiny decrements. As you probably know your adrenal system starts protesting at the reduction in cortisol.Good luck with your next little drop, plan an easy day. Certainly if those symptoms worsen and last too long, it may well be a flare so stop tapering if that is the case.

[LucilleG in reply to SheffieldJane]

Thank you, SheffieldJane! I think I will continue my taper, with taking the 5.5 mg dose tomorrow, and seeing how it goes. I've been off work for over a year due to PMR, so I don't have too much stress in my life right now. I really have to ensure that I'm taking it easy as I taper down from 6 mg. Lots of sleep and Britbox for me!

[PMRpro Ambassador]

If it were me, I'd stick where I was for a week more, to make sure you are over whatever it was. But only one day of lower dose is probably OK since it will be followed by several days old dose.

[Temoral]

Hi...this is exactly where I am on the tapering g route...I just held on for another week on 5.5, now introducing the 5 on DSNS... rheumy reaction on Monday phone appt probably won't be in approval, it he's not living it is he....😉...go steady.