putting myself together part2

[Alazarin]

Going slow and staying low. Just dropped to 2mg, from 3. So far, no PMR pains, but tired and lacklustre.

I’ve been going to the gym since Jan, and my physical strength has improved greatly. I can manage an hour of Pilates too, which was a no 6 months ago. It’s a slowwww process. Fingers are crossed.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Sounds like adrenals may be struggling a bit - so a very slow taper, and maybe only 0.5mg a drop rather than a 1mg… really does make a hugh difference at such low doses… both for PMR and adrenals.

See this re adrenals… and you are on one the slower tapering plans we are always talking about aren’t you?

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

[Alazarin in reply to DorsetLady]

I’m currently following drs plan stay on 2 for 4 months. Etc, but I did wonder myself at just going for .5 drop.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Alazarin]

Well the 4 months is good -but it’s the percentage drop that endocrinologists get a bit twitchy about when you get to below 5mg.. Recommended no more than 10% of current dose -not always achievable though.

Example -

3mg to 2mg is 33% -3mg to 2.5mg is 16.5% and obviously at each taper the percentages get bigger

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I agree with DL - that drop from 3 to 2mg was a massive 33% and a lot at this stage for your adrenal function to adjust to so no wonder you feel a bit lacklustre! The smaller a step down and the slower you achieve it, the less you feel the effects. The 4 months is great - but the step was a bit steep!

[Bluey-1]

I’m on 3mg, tapering from 60mg for GCA. Have been on 3mg for over three months and told to stay on this by endo team after having a Syncathen test and until I see the consultant. Adrenals are struggling and I’ve suffered from fatigue. Suggestion is when I next taper it’s very slow, 0.5 mg a time. Agree with DL and PMRpro, very slow now. The fear of a flare keeps me grounded on these low doses. The thought of going back to high levels of pred - Argh!!

[Viveka]

Having been on pred for 3 years, from 3 to 1.5 I did 0.5 reductions and after that 0.25 - per month. Trying not to fall at the last hurdle. I have adrenal-wobble bouts sometimes, but mostly ok.