My husband has GPA and is reducing his prednisolone to 5mgs this week from 7.5 mgs. He is in drug induced remission.
What is the prednisone doing at the moment? And is it reduced slowly so his body begins to make its own or does it keep the vasculitis under control as well. He is now on aza as well.
Thank you and hope this question is clear
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Main1234
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Prednisolone needs to be reduced slowly once a patient has been on it for over 4 weeks. The adrenal glands normally make around 7.5 mg of cortisol a day, when we take pred they go on strike and get lazy, they need to be prodded into action again slowly and start producing cortisol again.
It may be that the pred is still working to control the Vasculitis even at this low level. I would keep an eye out for symptoms again as your husband reduces the pred further. Most patients relapse with the symptoms they had when diagnosed at first, I would make sure you know how to get in touch with the clinic if that happens. I am not saying it will, fingers crossed that remission will be maintained.
He is feeling really tired at the moment and is in bed day 2 of reduced dose also he has had my cold ( I felt poorly for a week) so guess that has not helped. He says his chest feels ok , appetite ok no cough today and his nose not as runny... sorry if tmi .
I guess I just get scared and worried he will flare again.
If he is no better ie more energy on Monday I am ringing his consultant.
His recent blood results 2 weeks ago showed a slight rise in crp (? Inflammation marker)
Update. Today he is almost “back to normal” whatever normal is!! He is up dressed and doing things around the house as normal. Maybe it was a nasty cold and steroid reduction.
Thank you for support and ongoing advice, no one would guess I am a nurse.. this disease certainly throws curve balls.
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