Thanks to PMR pro and Dorset Lady, among others, I have tapered from 15 to 12.5 mg prednisolone a day. I used the dead slow nearly stop method of tapering. Im wondering whether to use the same procedure to reduce to ten now. I seem to remember someone mentioning a link which set out other ways of tapering, can anyone help please?
Thank you for all your amazing help!
There are various methods of tapering - the DSNS and my Simple Taper are similar, which is based on the DSNS but laid out as weeks.
But why change what has worked so far for you.
If you want to view all, they are linked here -
healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk... from the FAQs
thank you. Helpful food for thought. Do you have anybexperience of allergic reactions to medication in the form of an eczema rash?
No experience, but it does seem to be a relatively common side effect of Pred. Perhaps ask new question and then you’ll get related posts as well as direct replies. But you probably need to mention to GP or pharmacy, and maybe an antihistamine cream may help.
thank you. I have seen the doctor who has prescribed hydrocortisone cream…..
It was a problem for some with the enteric coated pred which has a colouring in it. That can be washed off. It may be one of the ingredients in the plain white tablets, the fillers which are used for bulking. They vary from manufacturer to manufacturer.
Although eczema seems to happen in response to pred, the conundrum is that pred is frequently used to TREAT it! There is a form of steroid-resistent excema and something else can be used for that.
that is really useful to know. As I have tapered successfully to 12.5 the 2.5 tablets are red. So the increase of colour ant in my dose would fit with that theory. Yes! Mad! I have been prescribed steroid cream. Aaaargh! I shall take this info to the doctor.
Thank you so much! You are brilliant!
Very best wishes from mrs itchy 😀👍
Ask the pharmacist for a white version - or cut 5mg tablets, Cheaper and accurate enough.
I just gave the red ones a wash, it will be a great relief if it works, I’ll keep you posted, thank you again!
I'm intrigued though - have they given you enteric coated 2.5s? Because the colouring there has always been red for 5mg tablets and dark brown-ish for 2,5s
2.5 dark brown yes, now I’ve given them a wash! 5mg are white
Bear in mind that they will take 4 hours or so to get into your system compared with the 1 hour for plain white tablets. That sometimes helps make the effect last longer but you won't get as high a peak in the blood and it may not be enough to suppress the inflammation - so if they don't seem to work as well, that is probably why. They seem to totally disregard the absorption times and claim it makes no difference - it can.
thanks, more food for thought as I taper to ten mg all white tablets. If that is the cause of the rash, I wonder how long it will take to quit my system 🤔 I am so grateful for your input, I’ve been going mad speculating and isolating for a week now!
a week on of eliminating brown tablets and rash fading. The interface between the advice from this forum, the doctor, and her interactions with the hospital ( I also have been prescribed cream) is an interesting learning curve about how modern medicine is being managed. A line has to be trodden to keep medical professionals onside, and filtering all the excellent advice you offer to so many individuals with diverse “ lived experiences” . This condition hit me six months after the loss of my life partner of fifty years. It cannot be coincidence. It is a relief to have someone who knows to ask about current thinking and practice.
Is this the next storyline in “ The Archers” ? 😂 Poor Brian. Kates deep massage helped him! Thoughts / links to alternative therapies might be worth learning about…….
There are loads of posts in the past about alternative therapies as add-ons in PMR but not sure how to find them really. You could raise a new post asking the question and that might bring up related posts.
I find therapeutic massage very useful but it isn't for everyone. I relied on Bowen therapy for back problems for years and combined with Pilates it kept me upright and mobile despite not being on pred for 5 years. Some people find acupuncture helps - other have had problems afterwards.
It has been looked at:
link.springer.com/article/1...
A common question relates to CBD oil but very few people find it does anything for the PMR itself but may help with other things. This warns against its use alongside pred so if you do try it, be very careful:
cannabotech.com/a/s/article...
I would like to see trials looking at it as a steroid sparer but I doubt that will happen!
Hi,
Don’t understand why you wish to look at other methods if your last taper was successful. The only consideration I would have is to go to eleven mg first and , assuming that works ok, subsequently to ten. But then, I’m ultra cautious!!
Good luck whatever.
Paddy
sending a certain amount of hurry up from the doctor ( which I can ignore) o have also developed a weird allergic reaction to something which is manifesting as eczema and wondering if it’s a side effect 🤷♀️ just mulling, thanks for your input. I’m as cautious as too!
L
Tapering………
hydroxychloroquine and tapering? 
Tapering 
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Tapering
