Sorolla

[Sorolla]

Hello all of you brave, kind people. PMR began January 2022, diagnosed August 2023 when I started taking 10mg prednisolone. I have managed to taper to 2.5, which on the basis of all that I have read here, was good going but then I felt the return of pain as I tried to go below that. My doctor recommended a good steady state was alternating days at 5mg - in fact I didn't but took 2.5 every day until I have had to reverse to 3.75 where I now am. I have learned from you how sensitive the system is and how proteins are produced every morning (thank you Dorset Lady!) so I wonder if alternating doses during the week to achieve an average target is an optimal way to do it; does the body happily average it out or does it prefer a constant dose changing only very gradually?

My regret at finding that I can do less is that I am trying to learn to draw and paint in a classical realist way and progress has become slower than it was! Nothing compared to what so many of you have had to go through.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Hi

so I wonder if alternating doses during the week to achieve an average target is an optimal way to do it;

Not in many of our opinions - and it confuses body - and as you say it prefers a constant dose reducing slowly…

Couple of slower plans that make that scenario easier- choose which suits you -

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Alternating days of double dose rarely works in PMR if the underlying autoimmune problem is still active and is specifically not recommended. We don't think alternating doses with a big difference is a good idea ever - creeping down using a slowed taper works far better.

[Orange_2022]

I've had to taper much more slowly since getting below 7mg. Now at 4mg, after diagnosis in September 2022, so you've made fast progress. Don't rush it! Have a nap before a drawing and painting session maybe? Art, like PMR, takes as long as it takes and doing art, even slowly, is a great thing.

[Hedgehogfriend]

I was diagnosed in 2023 and started on 15mg of prednisolone. I am now tapering down to 4.5 but have found going down to the lower doses much more challenging. The GP would prefer me to drop 1mg a month, but I'm holding firm and going down by 0.5 on a slow taper. It takes longer but I'm listening to my body. I've found some shoulder pain and mood swings coming back as I do more days on 4.5 so I just ease off activity and wait for things to level out again. Most days I'm fine. I'm also taking alendronic acid for osteoporosis, as I know many of us do, so today's challenge is a trip to the dentist with toothache. Not good at the best of times but more worrying on AA. Stay strong and keep smiling!