Flare?

[Suedeshayes]

Hi. I’m at 2mg of Pred and I started reducing slowly to 1.5 last week. Yesterday and today, my back feels very stiff and sore. I’ve forgotten the difference between a flare and a resistance to tapering. Would someone please remind me? Thanks.

[SnazzyD]

My thought is first to think if you have done anything unusual in the last 3 days to rule out delayed onset muscle soreness. With Pred and PMR muscles are easily upset. They don’t like repetitive movements, sustained strain, even when light, or new movements. I didn’t have PMR but GCA and I have a number of paybacks from small things like carrying a light bag of shopping in town in the cold, a bit of light sweeping of the patio, helping push a sofa around, cleaning a window, picking apples etc.

[Suedeshayes in reply to SnazzyD]

Thank you. I haven’t done any more than I usually do, but I’m going to go back to 2mg for another week or so and then start the very slow taper this time.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

What do you mean by "resistance to tapering"? Don't think I have heard that said before.

If symptoms reappear without a good reason like overdoing things - carrying something, walking further than usual - as you reduce the dose, if it appears immediately you change the dose it is probably your body protesting about the different dose and it will adjust after a week or so. If it takes a few days to appear it is more likely to be that your dose is a bit too low and the inflammation isn't all being mopped up and is likely to worsen over following days.

[Suedeshayes in reply to PMRpro]

Hi, by resistance I meant the body not enjoying the reduction of dose, but would gradually get used to it. As I’m going to visit family in Istanbul in a couple of weeks, I’m going back to 2mg and then try again when I’m home. Thanks.

[SnazzyD in reply to Suedeshayes]

Good idea!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Suedeshayes]

Definitely a good idea! Hope it has warmed up by then!

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

If you mean a flare versus steroid withdrawal have a look at this -

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

[Suedeshayes in reply to DorsetLady]

Thank you for this info. I’ve now emailed it to myself.

[piglette]

Steroid withdrawal symptoms normally happen fairly quickly and last a couple of days or so. tylenol or similar can help alleviate the symptoms. A flare does not happen until at least a week has passed.

[Suedeshayes in reply to piglette]

Thank you.