pain with slow taper

[Nanatoo]

I’ve been on prednisolone since early July and have tapered down to 13.5 from 20. I had to go back up to 15 for a couple of weeks after getting Covid, but am back to 13.5. I’m achy in my shoulders and arms but nowhere near the pain I was in before preds, so is this normal and will it pass after a few weeks if I persevere at 13.5.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

It depends - have you been doing too much maybe? Or is it just the taper? You do need to be aware - if it stays much the same and it tolerable, fair enough. On the other hand, if it worsen, however slowly, it is a sign that the dose is slightly too low to manage the inflammation and if you ignore that you could end up in trouble as the left-over inflammation builds up over time.

[Nanatoo in reply to PMRpro]

I think maybe we all overdo it a bit over Christmas but normal life is returning. If the aches stay the same it’s tolerable but I’ll up the dose slightly if it’s the same in a couple of weeks. Thank you

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Nanatoo]

You might want to read this re a flare - should it turn out to be that…but don’t let it go on too long.

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

Just a query- how did you get from 15mg to 13.5mg?

[Nanatoo in reply to DorsetLady]

I’d been on 13.5 for a couple of weeks when Covid struck and brought with it stiffness and pain,so upped to 15 for 2 weeks and then returned to 13.5

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Nanatoo]

Okay thanks… hopefully things will settle at 13.5mg for you, but don’t hang on hoping if they don’t.

[Nanatoo in reply to DorsetLady]

Is 2 weeks long enough or not long enough.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Nanatoo]

I’d be inclined to treat 13.5mg as a new dose, and stay there for 4 weeks… before you even think of reducing again.

Good luck

[Nanatoo in reply to DorsetLady]

Thank you. Happy New Year.