Down to 25 mg Prednisone from 30, Feel Terrible

[Moaningxcat]

Hello, I tapered my prednisone from 30 mg to 25 mg on August 11. I felt great on Thursday and Friday last week. Since then, not so great…

I am experiencing some aches and pains on the right side of my scalp, right temple area and at the site of the biopsy that was done this past April. I am more fatigued than usual and arm/leg weakness and heaviness is worse.

Should I increase back to 30 mg? Is this typical? The roller coaster is difficult to manage…

Thank you for being out there for support and advice.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Usual advice for a flare is to return to previous dose initially …but you do need to touch base with your medical team..and suggest a smaller drop from now on - 2.5mg rather than 5mg a time.

[Moaningxcat in reply to DorsetLady]

I did send a message through the portal to my rheumatologist; however she is on vacation. I will ask about tapering at 2.5 mg rather 5 mg. Thank you, DorsetLady!

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I agree with DL - you need to report the effect of reducing the dose to your medical team.

[Moaningxcat in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you PMRpro!

[Devoid]

I never managed a mg drop successfully in one go , I could do it over the same period of time that the consultant suggested but in 2 2.5 drops and with plenty of rest with each. Rest for me was an essential part of reducing.

[Moaningxcat in reply to Devoid]

I appreciate your reply. I hope my rheumatologist agrees to write a prescription for lower mg tablets. Currently, I only have 10 mg tabs. I’m back to taking 30 mg for a week and then hoping to decrease by 2.5 mg. Thanks for sharing your experience.