tapering problem

[Sukian]

Following on from my post about three weeks ago where I had successfully tapered (slowly, in the last few months) down to 8mg, but when going down to 7, I have had so many problems. I initially went back to 8 but the pains were so bad and have now gone right back up to 12 mg as neither 8 nor 10 were helping with the pain at all. To be honest 12 is not too good either but the pain does ease off later in the day .

Should I keep on with 12 for some time or should I even go right back to the start of 15, which obviously I really don’t want to do?? Any advice please

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

12mg is almost in line with advice contained in this link regarding a flare.... i.e adding 5mg to last dose you were okay... so maybe stay at that dose for 7-10 days - which hopefully will be enough .. if you are dubious then go to 13mg.

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

Once sorted ...then drop back down to 9mg or 9.rmg and using one of the slower tapering plans we mentioned in previous post - and only reduce 0.5mg at a time.

[Sukian in reply to DorsetLady]

Many thanks, I will try the 13 mg and then if necessary even go back to15 for a short while

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Is there anything to suggest a flare in disease activity? Most of the time if you have flared due to overshooting to dose you need, it is possible to get things under control in a week or so and not have to start from the beginning. An increase in disease activity is different and there is no way of knowing for sure that that is what has happened.

However - if it happened at 8mg, the usual recommendation of plus 5mg means 13mg. And you would be surprised how much difference 1mg can make. Alternatively - try 15mg for up to 10 days and drop straight back to 10mg and work from there.

[Sukian in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks for your advice, as I have taken 12 mg this morning I wonder if it would be an idea to take just one more this evening, to make up to the 13. I have wondered about taking some of my Pred in the evening as the mornings are so painful, although do you think taking just one then would be a good idea. If the 13 don’t work I will go back to 15 for just a short while as you suggest

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Sukian]

Try it, a one-off won't do any harm - it might not be enough to make the morning lots a better but who knows.

[Sukian in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks I’ll try it. I appreciate so much the help you and the others have given me. It’s so difficult trying to work out what to do on your own.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Sukian]

One of the reasons why we are here..😊