tapering down

[Davinababe]

hi everyone, I’ll soon be down to 2.5mg. As I have a surplus of 5mg tablets is it ok to have one 5mg every other day and nothing on the 2nd day while on 2.5mg or is it better not to? Many thanks

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Better to cut them in half - provided they are not coated [ie EC/GR]. Alternate days on 5mg/zero is likely to cause you problems.

Well done on getting to 2.5mg - don’t risk spoiling things now…

[Davinababe in reply to DorsetLady]

Many thanks, I’ll do that 😊

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Are these plain white 5mg tablets? Get a pill cutter from the chemist and cut them to get 2.5mg doses so you take the same dose every day.

The alternating double/no dose may work for some but it depends on why you take pred. In PMR it is to combat a daily batch of inflammation shed in the early morning - and the antiinflammatory effect often doesn't last long enough to take the dose every second day. If your PMR is still active - the days with no pred may be very uncomfortable.

[Davinababe in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you so much for your reply and yes I have the plain 5mg ones and will cut them in half.

[piglette]

I am glad you have the plain tablets so they will not be wasted. I think you will find a daily dose much better than every other day.

[Davinababe in reply to piglette]

Thank you 😊

[Daffodilia]

use a pill cutter?

[Davinababe in reply to Daffodilia]

Yes I will get one, thank you 😊

[calibriel]

Also … it might be handy to have a few 5mg in case of a flare? Is that a bad idea, wise heads who know better than me? I’m also at the low end (currently almost tapered to 2.5 … again, after many false starts) but find having a few higher doses available reassuring: but remember to use or dispose of them before they go out of date

[Broseley]

Keep your 5mg tablets! If you're down to 2.5 and lower you will be able to easily get the 1mg tablets on your repeat, but depending how long your taper takes, the 5mg tablets may drop off your prescription. This has happened to me and I've now got to see the GP just to get more 5mg tablets for a flare.

[Davinababe in reply to Broseley]

Oh that’s a good point! Thank you

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Davinababe]

But watch the expiry date!!!!!!! No point squirreling out of date tablets!

[reefswimmer]

Since we all know that PMR can come back, if I were you, I'd just ask your doctor for 2.5mg tablets and then 1mg tablets and save the 5mgs 'just in case'. They last for years.

When my third bout of PMR manifested itself, my hands were agony. Because my blood test did not show the right markers for PMR, I was given painkillers which were useless. In desperation I took the last few remaining steroids which had been in the cupboard for about 4years and was rewarded with a huge reduction in pain. I then made a private appointment with a specialist, who diagnosed me with PMR and put me back on steroids. Despite my history, ((6years of PMR) my GP did not want to give me steroids and it was only after a letter from the specialist that I was able to get relief from the dreadful pain in my hands.

I have a doctor friend who explained to me that all that happens to steroids over time is that they become less effective. Old tablets will not do you any harm.

Twice recently I have forgotten to take my 5mg tablet because I was travelling and immediately my hands started to hurt. I would stick to the correct dose in the correct format rather than cutting up tablets.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to reefswimmer]

"They last for years"

Not necessarily at all. There are often short-dated packs dispensed to use them up and the storage conditions may be crucial.