Tapering query

[Lclmlbls]

I started, reluctantly, on 15 February 15 mg of pred and omeprozole which took away my symptoms within days. Apart from a few days of pain due to overdoing the exercise I’ve felt great. My doctor went along with my request to taper slowly and I suggested Dorset Ladies recommendation of 1mg at a time rather than than dropping to 12.5mg immediately. DL’s suggestion was 14mg for 2-4 weeks, 13mg for 2-4 weeks and so on. I’m aware that sometimes it takes 3 weeks for flare. Today I will have been on 14 for 2 weeks.

My question is should I try 13 now or wait another 2 weeks?

If I have a flare, should I try and ride it out (and if so for how long) or go back up 1mg and start again?

Thanks for all your help and suggestions.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

As your GP is not rushing you as so many do, then I’d stay on each dose 4 weeks……

As for question re flare [not inevitable if you continue to taper slowly] - this link explains the difference between steroid withdrawal and a flare - and how to deal with the latter -

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

[ChrissieHW in reply to DorsetLady]

Hello, I’m learning so much- again- from this wonderful site and just digested your advice today about tapering, and managed to bookmark the link about withdrawal/flare etc, You and others helped me enormously with my recent post about being dropped from 15 mg Pred to 10 mg after 4 weeks from being diagnosed with PMR, with unpleasant consequences! A more senior GP at the practice has put me up to 14 mg ( 4th day on this dose today and feeling better) for 2 weeks and then I’m to drop by 1 mg weekly until I reach 10 mg. and then he’ll discuss next steps. Methinks too much too soon again ….. ? I’m thinking of ignoring the gp advice and going with the 4 weekly stages ……. Many many thanks again

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to ChrissieHW]

I think HeronNS dropped 1mg per week when she first started pred and it worked OK but I think it does depend on the end dose you are looking for being quite low,

In some ways using the 2.5mg step together with a DL slow taper or the DSNS slow taper may work better than constant changes of dose where your body never gets the chance to settle down and it is easy to miss an overshoot.

[ChrissieHW in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you PMRpro, I’ll investigate further . Much appreciated.

[Lclmlbls in reply to DorsetLady]

The article is so helpful, thank you.

[piglette]

I have learnt from bitter experience DON’T try and ride out the pain. PMR will always win!! Just give into it and slowly you will get there and win finally!!