Tapering on low dose

[Bedwell]

I’ve been on 1.5 mgs for 4 weeks ( started on 15 mgs 3 years ago)… tried to reduce by a quarter yesterday.. cutting a 2.5 pill in half. Woke this morning with head swimming.. just managed to totter downstairs.. and took1.5. Should I try alternate days? Hasn’t always worked in the past? Or perhaps twice a week? I’ve had no flares as such while reducing. Still can lift my arms over my head! But limbs quite achey.. and haunches sore.. which I assumed was adrenals struggling.. comments?!?!yhankyou.

[SnazzyD]

I’m wondering if you are ill with a viral thing. I know we are all different but I’m surprised, if you were ok on 1.5mg, at such an intense reaction so quickly after dropping by 0.25mg. My experience of low adrenals is a vague achey cloud but not located in specific areas unless I had a reaction to increased activity. Have you tried Paracetamol?

I always found introducing the new dose over weeks was better than alternate days or a sudden drop. I also found the success depended on what stresses I was under during that period so my 0.5mg drops covered 8-14 weeks at this stage. Could you be having a delayed reaction to something and you’re having a bit of a crash? I’m still suspicious that you might be ill. Taking 1.5mg again today might be an idea or perhaps sick say rules if you are entertaining a bug or you are not feeling better with some solid rest for the next few hours.

[Bedwell in reply to SnazzyD]

Thanjs so much. Don’t think I’m ill! But haven’t felt great on 1.5 … haven’t felt great since I started on predisolone.3 years ago…which is why persist on reducing. Ok so I can swing my arms above my head… but as I reduced.. more fatigue etc. but!!! I am 86.. next week.. so what do I expect? I have the joy of 2 fab( very busy!) daughters and a great grandaughter and a wonderful dog! How lucky am I?

Just didn’t get a nice littke part in a tv series. Down to the last 4 from 19.. Onwards!!!!!!

[Bedwell in reply to SnazzyD]

taken 1.5 and am

On sofa with dog!

[PMRpro Ambassador]

At such a low dose, I would stay where you are for at least a week or two more and maybe try it again. That would take into account Snazzy's suggestion. If a single day of the lower dose resulted in such a reaction, using alternate days isn't the answer is it? One or other of the slowed tapers where you introduce the new dose even more slowly would be better.

But let's not ignore the elephant in the room: the older we get, the harder the adrenal set-up will find it to wake up and the more likely it becomes that they won't snap to attention reliably.

And just a suggestion - I would keep some pred and a bottle of water next to the bed. With being so dizzy and wobbly - just think what COULD have happened on the stairs? Even a fall from standing in the kitchen could have nasty consequences.

[Bedwell in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks so much for your common sense!!!!!!

Some sun woukd be nice today😘could you arrange it please?!?!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Bedwell]

If I did, it would be for here. The weather is no different, wet and little sun, 15C if you are lucky. And next Wednesday they are forecasting 30C ...

[Bedwell]

have got intermittent sun here today. I stupidly put up the parasol !and a huge cloud appeared!

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Bedwell]

Wind blew mine over yesterday and not even up!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Bedwell]

I look for natural shade - seems to cover all options!! Finally bucked up here by the time I got to the gelateria. So nice when I got off the train home I detoured by the pizzeria cafe for an Aperol spritz, people watching and reading Lord Peter Wimsey ...

[Bedwell]

👍

[WilfDog]

As others have said I wouldn't do alternate days, as it could put your body under more stress. I would suggest another GP or rheumatologist appointment. There is a possibility that your adrenals aren't running on all cylinders, especially given your age and now the reduction of pred, so a check up would be advisable. Hoping the sun appears at some point this summer, too. It may make a massive difference! Good luck x

[Exflex]

I think you’ve done very well to get to such a low dose in 3 years. For me to get to zero took 4 years, and the last 2 or 3mg took a year. I was splitting 1mg into quarters and reducing 1/4mg every 5 weeks, sometimes I would repeat the step, sometimes I would pause the taper for a few months. The way I looked at it is there’s no need to hurry at such low doses of Pred. Better to go slow and arrive.

[Bedwell]

thanks all!