start tapering?

[Gooner12]

I was started on Pred 2 weeks ago initially 15mg and increased to 25mg 6 days later. Been relatively pain free last few days. The doctor said I needed to reduce to 20mg after about 10 days but I’m thinking this is too much and too soon. I’m thinking one more week at 25mg and then reduce by 10%. What’s your thoughts?

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Difficult to say without knowing what sort of speed he is intending from 20mg - although another week of 25, drop 2.5mg and the other 2,5 a week later might work and keep him happy.

[Gooner12 in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Agree with PMRpro….but then most probably guessed I would..😊

[Charlie1boy]

From my experience, I would say that you need longer than two weeks at 25mg to make sure all the accumulated inflammation is cleared out. Presumably, having been raised from 15 to 25mg, there must have been a fair amount of inflammation present.

Also, agree reducing by just 10% seems a better idea. You need to ensure everything is well under control before tapering to lower doses.

Good luck.

Paddy

[Gooner12 in reply to Charlie1boy]

My inflammation was at 33 when I last had a blood test. Not sure how high that is. Feel good on the pred just worried about side effects.

[Charlie1boy in reply to Gooner12]

My understanding is that CRP varies. Mine was at 37 when first diagnosed, which my GP described as on the high side.

Side effects tend to decrease as the pred dose goes down. At this stage, the important thing is to get the inflammation under control.

You will need to be very patient with pmr, and try not to do too much now that you “feel good”.

Good luck.

[Gooner12 in reply to Charlie1boy]

Thank you. Very helpful.

[Bcol in reply to Charlie1boy]

Think I can top that one, 131.4 when diagnosed.

[Marypatmorgan in reply to Bcol]

Not really wanting to top this particular table but mine was 239 when in hospital at Christmas!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Gooner12]

It's high but not very - some get up to 70s and 80s. But there is no real link between severity and level - mine never rose out of normal range.