Down to half mg pred

[Rosina1871]

After five years and nine months of pmr followed by being diagnosed with GCA in January . I have been taking half a mg for 8 weeks and so far no signs of a flare. Should I perhaps take half a mg every other day, for a month?

Thanks

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Or use one of the slower tapering regimes…that way you slowly reduce the number of days in a week you take Pred.. so if you tried that, it would be one day first week, 2 days second week [but not consecutive days initially] , 3 days 3rd week etc.

Your suggestion leaves you in the same position at the end of the month than at the beginning. .. my suggestion leaves you at zero at the end of 7 weeks. Plus it is more likely you could catch any potential issues as you go along. If are nervous about getting to zero you can always repeat each week.

[Rosina1871 in reply to DorsetLady]

Thank you so much. Will definitely try that

[Miacaro45 in reply to DorsetLady]

👍🤞🙏🏻

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I was going to say the same as DL - treat zero as the "new" dose and introduce it more slowly. Believe it or not, even 1/2mg can be enough to keep things under wraps! Why spoil things for a ha'pth of tar!!!

[Rosina1871 in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks. Appreciated

[SnazzyD]

Personally, although I wasn’t at high risk of a flare at the time (with hindsight) my body was still well aware it had some extra steroid in it. I wouldn’t underestimate the impact of 0.5mg and what’s the rush?

[Rosina1871 in reply to SnazzyD]

No I won’t. I will do as Dorset lady has suggested

[shella]

I went at snails pace.... much slower than doc recommended..., so far so good ... even with stress of moving! 🙏

[Rosina1871 in reply to shella]

thanks

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Forgot to say it took me 14 weeks to get from 0.5mg to zero, but considering I've now been Pred free for 8 years [and 11 days!] it was well worth it... 😊

[Rosina1871 in reply to DorsetLady]

I’m definitely going to do your taper. I feel very comfortable with that. I was getting stressed thinking about stopping immediately. Thanks

[hurryupharry]

congratulations, it’s a good feeling. I followed the DL 5 week cycle to go from 0.5 to 0mg. It’s only been seven days but so far so good. I previously got down to 0.5 mg about 4 years ago. I had a flare, it’s taken all this time to get back down again. So reduce slowly in a controlled way. Good luck.

[Rosina1871 in reply to hurryupharry]

Thanks and good luck