Taper Complete…

[LabradorH]

I have stopped taking prednisone after 18 months of use and slowly reducing the dose. It has been just 2 weeks, so I know my PMR misadventure will still be ongoing. I am very grateful for the support and insight that I have received via this online group.

I have been doing okay in terms of pain. Fatigue has been an issue this past month but it has been manageable. If I continue like this and feel reasonably well in a month or six weeks, I will get a blood test to check inflammation.

Thanks very much; best wishes in 2024.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Good luck, and fingers crossed for future.

[LabradorH in reply to DorsetLady]

Thanks for wishing me good luck. I appreciate it. And I have found the tapering schedules that you sent me last year to be very helpful.

Morning light over river..

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to LabradorH]

Good… lovely photo - near you ?

[LabradorH in reply to DorsetLady]

True confession - I didn’t take the photo, just “grabbed” it. But it does look just like the shoreline here of the river where I walk. Unusually for this time of year here the water is still partly open, it’s still not very cold.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Good luck - but after such a short episode, be very aware that it may just be at a very low level of activity and the dripping tap may still be dripping. Be aware and not in denial if it sills up and overflows because the sooner you react, the less of a problem you are likely to have.

[LabradorH in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks for wishing me good luck. Sounds like I will need it. I have 5mg doses of prednisone ready and I plan to continue taking it easy, but use the medication if needed. It seems like it has been a long episode but I guess it has been relatively short.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to LabradorH]

Excellent - you may be fine and I hope you are, But being prepared is a good start if it does go pear-shaped! Love the picture!

[LabradorH in reply to PMRpro]

A photo to share with you - I did take this one. Thanks for your consistent realistic commentary for us.

Village.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to LabradorH]

Thank you - I always think there is no point hiding the truth. What a lovely little display - what was it?

[LabradorH in reply to PMRpro]

It is just a windowsill in our house - an LED - lit ‘village’ made from painted wood scraps - made by an acquaintance. Our little grandsons enjoy playing with it, and switching on the lights after dark..

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to LabradorH]

It is lovely!

[Bedwell]

congrats on getting there.! It’s encouraging to hear. I’m about to reduce another 0.5 mgs to 2… roughly half a mg a month … so sort of hoping by the summer and my 86th birthday! Perhaps?!

My therapist says.. “Question your expectations” .. it’s a good mantra!!!

[LabradorH in reply to Bedwell]

Thanks. Best wishes with gradually reducing, but questioning your expectations. That is a sensible mantra.

[Bedwell in reply to LabradorH]

Yes I find it so.. of myself .. and others!!!!