Tapering post infection

[Healthyonce1]

Hello all, I was diagnosed with GCA and PMR at the end of October last year. I have managed to reduce the Prednisolone to 20mg from the intial 60mg and have tried twice to get to 15mg but find the symptoms return. Unfortunately I got an infection and have just finished a course of antibiotics. I've tried 17.5mg for a week but I'm getting jaw pain and headaches. Could this be a post infection flare? I've gone back to 20mg since yesterday and will try to speak to Dr. In your experience should I taper down by less than 2.5mg and at what speed. Thank you.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Hi and welcome,

It sounds definitely like a flare, but whether it’s because you have got below the level of Pred you need for your GCA [quite a fast taper] or whether as a result of infection, or as a combination of both [most likely] yiu cannot be sure.

You need to get it back under control - and 20mg may be enough, but if it’s not, then try the flare protocol - see link.

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

But whatever the cause, you do need to slow down - and yes 1mg from now on.

As you are new you might like to read these-

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

[Healthyonce1 in reply to DorsetLady]

Much appreciated. Thanks very much.