Recently I had another GCA scare and the doctor raised my pred from 5mg a day to 30mg. -
however, when the scare was over I was told to come down 5mg a day.
30 - 25 - 20 - 15 etc. I felt dreadful. Has anyone else come down so sharply - my entire system is still going through it - even though I’m now down to my regular 5mg? I Would be grateful for any advice/help please.
How long were you on 30mg and what had you been on before? That is a crucial bit of info.
Actually the 30mg [although slightly higher than we probably would have suggested] was fine… but afterwards - asking for issues.
How long were you on 30mg?
That really determines how quickly you can reduce afterwards… up to 14 days on higher dose it’s usually okay to go back to just above previous dose [as that obviously wasn’t quite enough]. But if longer than 2 weeks, then you need to reduce more slowly.
We would normally suggest dropping down from that would be safer in 2 or 3 drops… so once GCA under control - down to 20mg for 5-7 days, then to 10mg for same time… then to 6 or 7mg for at least a month before you restart tapering plan proper..
Your poor body at the moment is not sure whether on on its head or heels [polite version!] . Add in the adrenals struggling, so no wonder you feel rough.
Couple of options really- stay at 5mg and hope things settle, or try a week or two at 10mg [usual flare protocol] and then back to 6mg.
Thank you so much for your prompt reply.
I did it in 5 days - and now I’m paying the price!
Have doctors ever been on steroids?
The illness is bad enough but all the side effects of medication 🤣 - and it’s methotrexate for me tonight too 🥲
"Have doctors ever been on steroids?"
Most of them not! Any who have been are reported to have totally different attitudes!!!
As PMRpro has said highly unlikely- and certainly not for PMR nor GCA….
My GP let slip one day that he had been on steroids in the past. He did not say what for. He also said that most GPs' biggest mistake was to try and rush people off steroids too quickly. I’ve stuck with him!
what kind of dreadful?
It really depends how long you were at 30mg, reducing within a couple of weeks you should have been able to reduce pretty fast. I suppose you might have some steroid withdrawal symptoms.
How long were you on 30mg? just one day then dropping_ ?
Good grief, I hope you are feeling somewhat better...post-metho on top of it.💞
Can I ask what your GCA scare was like I also have GCA and have been tapering down for a while.
how to begin a slow reduction from 20 mg?
Prednisone reduction 
Trouble tapering from 5mg
Is it the Shingles vaccination or Prednisone reduction?