Reducing meds

[Harrigan]

hi everyone I’ve been on steroid for nearly 3years and Iam down to 5mg then 6mg next day. I have been told to reduce very slowly, but no one has told me what slowly is reduce once a week month or 3month very confused

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

At low doses you may be able to manage 1mg a month, but many try 0. 5mg a month……and using one of the slower tapering regimes….ost find they are easier on body than alternate days regime..

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

Certainly no quicker than once a month…..

[piglette]

I would say at that level 0.5mg per month. Best of luck.

[SnazzyD]

In the absence of any guidance I’d try 0.5mg per month and see how you go.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

At this level we would say 1/2mg every month. Your adrenal glands now have to wake up and start producing cortisol to top up the oral pred - they don't do that overnight and it can take a while. So the smaller the steps and the slower the better.

[HeronNS]

The slow taper methods DorsetLady links to are very useful.

[Jackoh]

Notice you’re doing alternate day dosing. Please try one of the plans suggested by Dorset Lady. This puts less pressure on your system and is more likely to be successful I’ve found. 💐

[Suffererc]

I have had PMR 5 years. Am down to 2mg after trying 1.5/1 for a few weeks. My GP has taken over, so contacted yesterday to say I would like to up the dose further for a week as getting no relief. Then drop to GP. Another GP messaged to say stay on 2mg because your latest blood test they didn’t ask for PMR to be looked at! Blood test Monday . What sort of treatment are some of us receiving because they don’t update themselves. ( in their minds I no longer have PMR just don’t want to stop taking Pred????)

[Suffererc in reply to Suffererc]

then drop to 2.5

[Theziggy]

Have a look at this site steroidtaper.azurewebsites....

[Bcol]

Hi there, I use a slightly modified DL plan and reduce by 0.5mg on a five week plan. Although I have the plan if I feel I need to stay on a dose for longer then I will. The plan is the base line but doesn't rule. I'm also lucky in having doctors who put no pressure on me to reduce.