advise please re split dose

[MalloryMoss]

Can I have some Advise please .

I’ve been on 4mg for the last month with another month to go before reducing again (hopefully) and after reading the advice here, I’ve split my dose in half, so around 3am ish I’m taking 2mg with 1 paracetamol. This has worked really well, hardly any morning stiffness which is fantastic. However on Saturday I forgot to take my 2nd dose until 6pm (I now have an alarm set!) I only realised because I started getting stiff and had pain in my right shoulder. Once I took my 2nd dose, within the hour, all aches etc were gone!

my question is was this steroid withdrawal or my adrenals (I wasn’t fatigued) or PMR? I’ve read the article on adrenals but still unsure.

Thank you

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Unlikely to be steroid withdrawal in a few hours -but it just proves you still need 4mg to cover you for the full 24 hours. .

.. and it certainly sounds more PMR ish than adrenals …

[MalloryMoss in reply to DorsetLady]

Thank you for clarifying DorsetLady!

[PMRpro Ambassador]

It is telling you that you still need 4mg to keep the inflammation under control!!! So bear in mind next month that may still be the case and you may well have reached your destination: the lowest effective dose!

[MalloryMoss in reply to PMRpro]

Yes agree. I’m about to go on holiday (10th May) for 3 weeks and will not try reducing until I’m back in a normal routine. Thank you

[sidra1968]

I experience the same, can set a clock to when the pains disappear - 1 to 1.5 hours after a dose. I also split them.

[Wizards]

I too had to split my dose right from the start.What I can tell you is that I wished I had stayed at 4 or 3mg for 6+months to let my adrenals catch up. I was really feeling exhausted at that level.

I did spend an extended period when at 10mg which was old school.

I'm off prednisone now been off just over 1yr and just now starting to get my energy back.

Don't rush or let them make you rush.

[MalloryMoss in reply to Wizards]

Thank you, my Dr has said she doesn’t need to see me again unless I want to. She’s letting me decide how to reduce but advised no sooner than every 8 weeks.

[MalloryMoss in reply to MalloryMoss]

I think my adrenals are ok as I have no fatigue 🤞🤞

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to MalloryMoss]

Yet - 4mg is LOADS for some people.

[Wizards]

Just take it very slow using dead slow method and spend time in-between. I would spend months after a drop to ensure no pains as well as my bloods were also in good shape. Don't rush if you feel fatigue, stay put to see if it leaves or go back and sit there.

Good luck