Anyone have discomfort or pain when tapering off prednisone?

In my experience, tapering by 2.5 mg was too much. I've had much better luck with .5 mg every 2 weeks. I still have some pain to work through, but not too hard to deal with.

This will take longer, but I feel better and haven't had to go back to increased dosages.

Slow and steady wins the race!

I know you’re right, especially since my ESR just went up to 34 ( it had been in the normal range for months). I can deal just fine with the more minor side effects of prednisone, but some others are concerning. I feel like I’m between a rock and a hard place.

Patience is so hard.

Have you started an anti-inflammatory diet? That and exercise - swimming, Yoga, walking - have helped me tremendously.

Try not to worry, stress exacerbates our symptoms.

I have been on 5 mg of Prednisone for over 15 years treating for general arthritis. About a year ago I was diagnosed with PMR. I was initially treated with 20 mg and tapered down to 10 for several months, but had 3 flair ups so was placed on 20 mg of methotrexate. Like you , I thought the methotrexate wasn't doing anything. About 6 weeks in the methotrexate kicked in . I am now down to 9 mg of Prednisone over 4 months. I am almost pain free in my shoulders and legs and am back to playing pickleball 2 to 3 times a week. I am 74.

I am on 5 mg now and want to taper off but have to wait until pain subsides. The strange thing I am reading is that pain definitely subsides in the afternoon. Is this due to when I take my Prednisone ? In the AM?

How does one prepare themselves a special meal (anti-inflammatory diet) when they're in pain and can hardly use hands, go to store for food (I purchase the fruits and veggies but they go bad when I can't get to them to use) and are totally weak and fatigued? I hear how beneficial this diet is but can't even get started due to how I feel.

Do you have anyone that can help you prep food once or twice a week? I understand about the useless hands!

I was buying frozen fruit and veggies that only needed to be microwaved and served.

I am eating pretty well, have given up alcohol and sugar, red meat, “white” carbs. I walk as much as I can, but sometimes fatigue gets in the way. Thanks for the support.

I know it’s more expensive, but bagged pre-washed salads and cut-up fruits are really helpful. Many supermarkets in my area will shop for you and then you can do curbside pickup. There is always meals-on-wheels if you have no one to help you. I hope things look up for you soon.

Discomfort is not the word. Tapering from 7.5 to 5 mgs Prednisone caused me to have severely aching and pain all over. Everything started to hurt. I was in excruciating pain for 4 days and finally took two Advil (which I was told after the fact that I should only take Tylenol). The pain went away. I was waiting for it come back, but it never did. They have been very slowly weaning me down on the Prednisone. I was on 3 mgs for 2 months. This morning I was told I can take 2 mg today and 3 mg tomorrow and alternate days over the next month. Not feeling too bad right now but it is early.