Hello,
My May diagnosis was treated with 20 mg Pred. Recently tapering to 15 then 12.5; 10 next week according to the Dorset method.
I'm wondering what is the difference between a flare and adrenal/mini pain? I get a little shoulder pain in the am and again in the evening. I'm happy to let it be since it is passing but don't want to incur a flare. How can I tell which is which?
Janet
It is a little early to be your Adrenal function and those symptoms tend to be more constitutional than pain. Like nausea, dizziness, feeling exhausted. You are perhaps thinking of withdrawal pains as compared to an impending flare, pains. The former would be lesser and of shorter duration, the latter tends to build over the days, getting more severe. I hope this helps, it is based on my own experience. Don’t rush the tapering and never reduce by more than 10% of your dose. You will know all this if you are using DorsetLady’s method, which she really ought to patent, she’s one of us.
Yes, "the builds over several days" is especially helpful. Thank you
As SheffieldJane has said maybe a bit high on Pred for adrenals to be thinking about having to work again…not impossible, but unlikely.
I’d be inclined to stay at 12.5mg for a bit longer to see if things improve - try another week - if they don’t then you maybe need to treat as a flare -usual advice contained in this link.
healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...
Even if they do improve maybe try 1mg for future tapers….
Great - will do - thank you !
And I agree - if you are feeling the change in dose - then a smaller step down may well help!
The simple way of looking at it is a flare grows, adrenals adjusting tend to improve. But even so, there can be wobbles that don't fit so easily. Just take it slowly.
Many of us use 0.5mg drops when we get to single figures - using a pill cutter! (Pred comes in 5, 2.5 and 1mg tablets in the UK - not sure about US.)
Broken little toe! Bummer!
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