Pred Withdrawal??

[Matua]

My question is simple...I have reduced my Pred down to 2mg ( down from 8 mg 12 months ago)

I am now tapering further so have been taking 1 mg every 3 rd day, however I am now getting pain in my knees ( both cartilages removed years ago)..is this a flare or a symptom of pred withdrawal?

I can put up with the pain as I "do not" wish to have prednisone in my life if at all possible...the acid reflux and the slow healing made life a misery.

Any comments are welcome

Thank you

[123-go]

Hello, Matua. Who told you to take 1mg pred every 3rd day? I’m not surprised that your pain is returning. Have a look in DorsetLady's FAQs which suggests sensible tapering plans.

Prednisolone is the only medication that will deal with PMR inflammation: it won’t be in your life forever.

Acid reflux can be dealt with: others will be along to advise.

In a previous post you said that you were working hard physically and that you were at the gym 3-5 times a week. If that is the case now you may very well be overdoing things.

[Matua in reply to 123-go]

Thank you

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

As 123-go has suggested, a different approach may have served you better.... there is a big different between 1mg and zero... and at such low doses, many know that even 0.5mg can make a huge difference, never mind a whole mg.

Nobody wishes to be Pred for life... but you need what your PMR needs, and sounds as if you may have gone too low for that, just for now.

maybe back to 1mg per day for a couple of week - and hope that's enough - and then introduce 0.5mg a time ---and in accordance with a slower tapering regime

this is just one example -

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

[Matua in reply to DorsetLady]

Thank you..your comments are valued

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Does it make you feel better to know that at this stage that pred level is being topped up by natural corticosteroid, cortisol, to reach the physiological level - the amount the body requires daily to function properly? Take away the pred - and more cortisol will replace it. At these low levels it's swings and roundabouts.

[Matua in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you ..yes feeling a bit better with your comments...I know that IMPATIENCE is a problem..I just want to be off medication and back to normal😀

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Matua]

Don't we all - but sometimes that medication is providing a degree of normality that you wouldn't have without it.

[Alliekat65]

hiI'm sorry to hear you are in pain.

it's an awful situation where ya have to weigh up pain versus pills

I have been from 65mg to 45 to 25 back up to 40 but most of this was due to blurred vision in an eye which has lost sight already.BUT THE DARN PILLS...

I feel rough taking pred and also HATE the side effects.

I wish you luck x