taper

[Januzzi]

I am currently on 8mg of prednisone a day 4 in the morning and 4 in evening going to taper to 7 next week I’m wondering should I go 3-1/2 morning and night or do a slower taper

7mg one day 8mg for 6 days decreasing 1mg every week

Second week would be 2days at 7mg and 5 days at 8 mg and so forth

I’m new to this stuff and would appreciate any advice Thank you

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

I'd be inclined to try only 0.5mg reduction at this dose and below rather than 1mg - your adrenals need to start coming into play soon.. and that sometime that can make thing more difficult.

So try it with evening dose first time around and then if all okay, next time reduce the morning dose... and so on.

and yes a slow taper...

[SnazzyD]

I would do 0.5mg in the evening because your adrenal glands need to start soon to make up the shortfall of the artificial cortisol from the Pred. Your body needs a low cortisol feedback signal in the very early hours in order to trigger the adrenal glands. Therefore I would reduce the evening Pred first. Also, if your adrenal glands are sluggish, 0.5mg makes a big difference.

[Januzzi in reply to SnazzyD]

I work night shift so I take one dose

4pm and one dose at 4am before going to sleep….wondering what one to cut first to 3-1/2 . Thanks for your help

[SnazzyD in reply to Januzzi]

I’ve replied to your post that was specifically about this question

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I'd do 1/2mg and only on one of the doses at first, If that works, move on to the other. There really is no hurry and more haste less speed really does apply here.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to PMRpro]

Oh heavens - thanks to piglette for pointing the 1mg per week bit out - no, absolutely NOT 1mg less every week, Every 3 weeks is more than fast enough and preferably give it at least a month. The lower, the slower ...

[piglette]

Decreasing 1mg every week seems rather a fast taper.