Prednisone quandary

[Bobbury]

Im looking for some advice please.

I'm currently on 7mg or pred and have been for many years. However over the last week I've experienced difficulty in walking. It's feels like I'm walking in deep mud. I've learnt to tolerate this problem but last Thursday it was quite extreme. I came home from walking the dog which i really struggled to do and slumped in the chair. Long story short, my wife said you dont look too well. I dont think I was having a flare but I felt really sick and exhausted. My wife suggested I take an extra 3mg of pred (this was in the afternoon) after a couple of hours I felt a lot better. So the following day, Friday I took a total of 10mg and on Saturday I took 10mg and I was just great, I felt really good no problems walking etc. So here's my dilemma, should I carry on with the 10mg or do I start to tapper back to 7mg over a long period of time. Thanks for reading this

regards

[PMRpro Ambassador]

My suspicion is that you are either starting a flare or what there is of your adrenal function has deteriorated further, Or - have you had any signs of something else going on like a cold or something or been under stress for some reason? It would fit with needing a boost of cortisol for something but your adrenal glands aren't in a position to oblige. but it would also fit with the disease activity having edged up a little bit and you needing a bit more to manage things. Years of observation suggests to me it isn't unusual to need a bit more as time goes on.

You don't NEED to taper slowly - you could take 10mg for up to a week to 10 days and drop straight back to 7mg.

[Bobbury in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks Pro.!That’s very kind of you to answer so quickly. It’s a relieve to know what to do going forward. Thanks again much appreciated!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Bobbury]

See what happens if you go back to 7mg - if it starts again try 7.5mg

[Bobbury in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Ditto to PMRpro’s comments….😊