Tapering schedule

[landyjhm]

Good morning. I was diagnosed with PMR in January of this year. Initially it affected my hips and taking Pred give me almost instant relief. A few months later, I was worried about the side effects of the Pred and asked my GP if I could reduce my dose quicker. Boy, do I wish I'd kept my mouth shut! Terrible pains in my shoulders meant that I was unable to work. Not understanding the workings of PMR, I was slow to realise that this was the cause of my problem. Having tried, unsuccessfully to get information from my GP as to how I should taper, I would be SO grateful for some advice. I tinkered around and found 12mg has had the desired effect and I've been on this dose for a month or so. Where do I go from here please?! Jonathan.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Hi and welcome

Preferably 1mg a time at monthly intervals [provided no return of symptoms] until you reach 10mg… then the guidelines say 1mg every 4-8 weeks depending on patients wishes, diseases activity etc…

If you haven’t already seen it, might be worth reading this - and the links within it re tapering, pacing yourself etc - and as you have discovered PMR cannot be rushed -

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

[landyjhm in reply to DorsetLady]

Thank you DorsetLady, that is exactly what I needed. I have tried to access the links as you suggested, but find it a bit frustrating as I am not 'up' on the new technology!

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to landyjhm]

Well just sit and have a play with the forum - you can’t break it 😊- it usually just a matter of tapping links and reading what appears on the screen…. and you’re savvy enough to write a post so give it a go. If you really get stuck, just ask.

[landyjhm in reply to DorsetLady]

Thank you. It's not from a lack of intelligence, it's a lack of patience I'm afraid! 😆

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to landyjhm]

Wasn’t suggesting it was lack of intelligence 😉….and if you learn anything from PMR it may well be patience …

[landyjhm in reply to DorsetLady]

Now that I AM willing to learn!😁

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to landyjhm]

As per PMRpro’s reply -this might help -

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

[PMRpro Ambassador]

None of us really LIKES being on pred - but I fear it is a necessary evil if you have PMR! Once you get the hang of it it isn't too bad to live with BUT patience is essential. More haste, less speed.

DL has explained - play with links, find your way to the FAQs which has a long list of past posts classified alphabetically by topic. The link to them is at the top of every thread, just below the original post or in the Pinned Posts - to the right in a computer, at the bottom of the page on a phone.

[landyjhm in reply to PMRpro]

Will do, thank you.