been on pred since 2016 had various flare ups have over the years now got down to 1mg daily after taking Lansoprazole for a few months I want to come of pred now for good what is the best way to do this? I was looking at dropping one tab every 3 weeks till I’m down to nothing any ideas please
John
You could try that, but if you have the plain uncoated tablets they can be cut in half - so you could try going down to 0.5mg initially which might prove easier than going from 1mg to zero.
Another option is to use one of the tried and tested slow tapers we are always taking about on here - again to 0.5mg initially.
Two here for consideration-
healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...
healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...
Yes I’ve got uncoated tabs how long will I need to stay on 0.5mg before I start to drop a tablet?
How long have you been at each dose up to now?
But probably a month or so….it really depends on how you feel… and many have found that even 0.5mg can make a difference between controlling PMR and not.
I’ve got down from 8mg to 1mg in 6 months with no side affects or PMR pain I’m going to drop 1 tablet (1mg) every month and hope for the best wish me luck! Thanks for your help
I certainly went down by a half mg, and it ultimately worked.
I was even more cautious, .25mg reductions for me. It's tricky to cut them in quarters, but if you complete one tablet before cutting another, you get the dose over 4 days. But that's me, a scaredy cat 🙀
Like you, I've been fighting PMR since 2016 and and like you finally got down to 1 mg a few months ago. I've been gradually getting down to .5 mg . It took me these many years to get to this low level and I'm in no rush for the "final" reduction. Besides, once you're at 1 mg or less the side effects from prednisone are minimal or none. Rushing to zero carries a bigger risk of flare than any possible side effects at this low level. In a perfect world I would get down to zero predisone sometime in May - I'm reducing ultra slowly. And if I decide to stay at .5 mg or 1 mg for another year I don't see the harm - only positives.
I went down 1mg every six weeks (following Rheumatologist plan) and then 0.5mg for 4 weeks and alternated 0.5mg and 0mg for two weeks then stopped. This was six weeks ago, just back from 3 weeks of skiing, play lots of golf, gym etc. so far so good.
Had some aches and pains early on but just reduced activities as was advised of possible withdrawal symptoms. So far so good.
Good luck to you!!
I’m the same, I was on one tablet for months and doing fine then had a flare and I’m now on two. I seem really stuck now. I’ve tried using the really slow taper to get to 1.5 but after a while the symptoms start to creep back. It’s very frustrating.
It may be frustrating - but unfortunately if your PMR is still active it still active, no matter how you try to reduce.
I’d stay put for now, forget about tapering, so reducing any stress you are putting yourself under [even if you don’t realise it] and give it another go in 2 or 3 months.
Thanks, yes, that’s what my rheumatologist says too.
Do you mean 2mg? Tablets come in several sizes! But it will come - if you don't learn anything else with PMR you learn patience!
Yes, 2mg. I know I should be more patient. Rheumie says not to worry about it. I’ve had it since 2017. I should know by now. My mother in law had it for over ten years.
From 1mg I reduced by 1/4mg every 4 to 5 weeks using Dorset Lady’s slow taper. Best of luck.
Why no pred tablets below 1mg?
Still no gastro-resistant 1mg pred!
Problems with Prescriptions for 1mg gastro resistent Pred
How to get from 1mg to 0 pred 
1mg coated Pred
