Tapering and vaccinations

[LittleJane]

After reading some posts, am I right in thinking it would be best not to begin my slow taper until after I have had my flu jab on 10/10 and Covid jab on 16/10? I have only been on Prednisolone for 7 weeks anyway.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Probably sensible to get vaccines out of the way - then you don’t have too many things to think about when you start tapering.

[piglette]

I don’t know what dose you are on, but it is usually suggested you should start reducing after around four weeks if everything is OK. You will have been on the starting dose for over two months. As DorsetLady says you may as well stay on the current dose and see how it goes though.

[LittleJane in reply to piglette]

Thanks piglette. I was started on 15mg seven weeks ago. After 3 weeks I was told to reduce to 12.5mg. this was too much too soon so I returned to 14 mg. I have been on 13.5 now for two weeks. My GP has suggested a taper of 1mg a month or 0.5mg every two weeks. This sounds fine to me but perhaps not starting until after my two jabs.

[piglette in reply to LittleJane]

Sorry I did not realise you had already started reducing. Sounds like you are on your way and so hanging on until after the vaccinations seems even more sensible. It will only be around four weeks anyway. The real thing is, if you do not feel up to it DON’T REDUCE. I remember going to my first rheumatologist and I had just reduced from 20 to 15mg and felt like death. I thought he would say well done, but all he said was you must reduce to 10mg in the next four weeks. I said it was not possible and he got really nasty. That was the last time I saw him!! I have had real trouble reducing after that and I am sure it was due to the rheumatologist’s requirements.

[LittleJane in reply to piglette]

Even as a newbie to the forum that doesn't sound right piglette.My own GP is good but it is difficult to get to see him. The registrars are also good. It's the 'old school' gp that isn't very patient, especially with older patients.

[piglette in reply to LittleJane]

Luckily at the same time I had a new lady GP who was BRILLIANT. The bad new was she left a few months later to set up a medical cosmetics clinic!!

[LittleJane in reply to piglette]

😞

[piglette in reply to LittleJane]

😜👎

[Bcol]

Hi LJ, given the problems you have already had I think leaving the next taper until after the jabs a very good idea. Probably give it at least a week after to let things settle back to normal.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I agree with Bcol - if you'd had a simple journey so far, then it would be one thing. You haven't so don't rock the boat any more than you need to!

[LittleJane]

Thank you for reinforcing what I felt was the right decision. I will maintain the status quo for the next few weeks then start a slow and gentle taper.I don't know what sort of muddle I'd be in without the knowledgeable advice in these posts.

I feel reassured and that has made me feel more positive 🙂

[Blearyeyed]

It's usually worked for me and it's what I always recommend .Don't try and taper until a week after your last jab and have them separately about two weeks apart to reduce the side effects we all get to some extent as our bodies react and start making the antibodies. Don't start a new taper in the week before a vaccination either.

Have a restful day or two after your injection and drink the recommended water and eat light nutritional meals in the days before and after each jab to help your body cope with the extra work it's doing.

It's better to wait to taper than have a flare because your body is trying to do too much at once and have to end up increasing the dose because of it.

[LittleJane in reply to Blearyeyed]

Thank you, this is all so sensible but without the experience here on the forum I would be stumbling round in the dark.

[Wizards in reply to LittleJane]

You mentioned your Dr wants you to reduce monthly. For me and I'm now off prednisone that would be way to fast.I did the dead slow tapper which takes just shy of 2 months. Once I got to the new dose I'd stay anywhere from 1-3 months allowing my body to adjust.

This is not a race and if your racing you will flare which has happened to you.

The dead slow tapper is on this site.

Good luck

[LittleJane in reply to Wizards]

Thank you for your advice. I am beginning to see it is a marathon and not a sprint 🏃

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to LittleJane]

Definitely that!!!

[LittleJane in reply to PMRpro]

Hubby is training for a half marathon. His mantra is 'slow and steady' 🙂

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to LittleJane]

Good luck!!!!

[Wizards in reply to LittleJane]

Turtle 🐢 and hare. Slow and easy. Take breaks, you'll need to.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Wizards]

In the fable , it’s tortoise and hare 😊

[LittleJane in reply to DorsetLady]

🐢🐰😊

[Wizards in reply to DorsetLady]

Omg. Yes your right but I think the message got across

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Wizards]

No probs..😊

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Wizards]

The slowed tapers on the site can take variable lengths of time. The DSNS can be done in a month if you start at 4 days to the next day of new dose. Much longer if you start at 7 days.

[Wizards in reply to PMRpro]

As you say it's not a race so I followed it to a tee and even lengthened it a low doses. Never flared and off so worked for me, thank heaven

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Wizards]

DL is sure her very simple journey was due to never rushing - never had a flare.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Wizards]

As PMRpro said… me too.

Also probably made easier due to being on high doses initially for a long time as well thanks to sensible ophthalmologist and very cautious GP.

[Wizards in reply to DorsetLady]

Same as I

[Wizards in reply to DorsetLady]

The only thing I didn't follow was not reducing if going away. Alot of the time I was finishing a reduction 1 week into vacation. I've always found our vacations extremely relaxing compared to life back home. No stress yet alot of activity diving.

As my husband says, I'm unique.

[LittleJane]

I have rushed all my life, always been impatient. I still hear my mother's voice chastising me "come along, hurry up, don't keep me waiting" I am beginning to think this PMR could be a gift, sent to show me a better way of life.

Thank you for allowing me to explore things. Mental health and physical wellbeing go together.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to LittleJane]

"I am beginning to think this PMR could be a gift, sent to show me a better way of life."

Others have said similar. Slow down and smell the roses!