Urgent advice needed re return of symptoms

[Fatsiajaponica]

Just this minute back from Italy (3.40am) a very stressful and sad trip (not a holiday). Temperatures were 39 degrees C, extreme weather warning was issued, difficult to cope but managed to get respite from Air Con at hotel and hospital.

Last 2 days I have had diarrhea (from something I ate, does not appear to be a bug) settled down this evening with the help of imodium.

Started getting aches in hips and buttocks, now neck ache. Not too intense but worrying.

I started on 20 mgs 7 weeks ago, reduced to 17.5 after 3 weeks, plan was to reduce to 16mgs tomorrow. All had been going extremely well until the last two days.

Advice re what action to take now, flare protocol, sick day protocol, keep going on 17.5 and don't reduce??? Hope to have a reply in the morning when I am due to take my pred.

Many Thanks, feeling disappointed but know I need to do something about it.

[Bcol]

Good morning, I certainly wouldn't be considering dropping whilst you have a return of your symptoms. You have also had, been through, a stressful few days. Two options, either go back to 20mg for a week or two weeks if it needs it to get things under control. Or, use the flare protocol and add 5mg to your present 17.5mg for ten to fourteen days. Not really a lot of difference, so if 20.0mg worked well previously I'd probably go with that. A 2,5mg drop works for some but not everyone so you might want to consider coming down in 1,0mg reductions every four of five weeks when you start reducing again.