Hi
I’m currently on 7.5 pred, have been for about six weeks. A couple of weeks ago, I tried to alternate between 7, and 7.5, but had some not so good days, so I’m back to 7.5
I take my pred at 2.am, I’m pretty sore when I waken, especially buttocks, but within about an hour and a half, I’m ok, and I’m like that the rest of the day, for which I’m thankful.
I’d this how it’s going to be, or should I maybe up to 8?
Many thanks
I would stick at 7.5mg for another few week...it might be just on the cusp for you...and adrenals may be coming into play as well.
See how it goes, and whether it's PMR or adrenals - very slowly is the only way forwards and preferably one of the slower tapering regimes we suggest rather than alternate days - think that's harder on body.
Links -
Adrenals -
healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...
and slower tapering plans -
healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...
Thank you, will do
I suppose it comes down to can you cope as it is and is it stable or worsening? If you can cope and it is stable it is worth hanging on a bit to see if it settles down and your adrenal functions starts to wake up. It sounds as if you have accurately identified your target: the lowest effective dose.
Thank you, is that not quite high for the lowest effective dose, or when my adrenal functions kick in, can it be reduced further
I can cope as long as it doesn’t get any worse
Your first priority is keeping your PMR under control...with the dose that it needs...and as I said, I think you might be just on the borderline of"plenty, just enough and not quite enough".
What's correct for adrenals will depend, and not a lot you can do about that except very slow taper, very small steps...as explained in the link I sent earier...
The lowest effective is what it turns out to be - and it WILL almost certainly get lower later, It doesn't mean you won't get lower - just not yet. It took me over 4 years to get reliably below 10mg and having had a couple of flares, once due to a relapse in disease activity and an extended one due to the stress of caring for my husband that required extended periods at above 15mg I think you are doing just fine for now!
And again - adrenal function doesn't "kick in" like a light switch, it returns gradually, bit by bit, you need to go slowly.
How much does your activity levels affect at this stage
Sorry - don't get what you mean?
I mean, should I be curtailing exercise etc, or just carry on as normal
Don't know - everyone is different, fatigue has a lot to do with it and pacing is just as critical now as ever.
I wonder if taking your Pred earlier, so that it begins to work sooner, would have an impact on your mornings? I went through a stage of taking mine at midnight which seemed to suit me for a while.
Thanks, happy to give it a try
The 7-7&1/2 mg range is what messed me up. Personally I wish I would have stayed at 8mg a little while longer. Pain came back so bad I had to go back to 17mg to get it under control
Good luck, just listen to your body.
That’s interesting, thank you
Hi there, I agree with Dorset Lady, stay at 7.5 if you can and only when you feel comfortable try to reduce. I did a 4 days on the higher dose, then 3 days for a couple of weeks then 2 days. Slowly, slowly worked for me.
Good luck x
Thank you
I had trouble reducing from 7 and found for me the answer was to go down in 1/4s. Now down to 5.25 and hoping that will be ok. It's a bit of a fiddle cutting the tabs but it's better than returning pain! A pill cutter is a must.
Thanks or that, yes a very slow process
It is a marathon we are doing not a quick race so to me slow is good. Patience is indeed a great virtue with Pred 
You are correct, thankfully, I’m fairly patient
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