Any Tips For Tapering Off Prednisone?

Thanks so much for replying. I tapered down to 1mg. prednisone. Have felt absolutely terrible, So weak and tired. My rheumatologist wanted me to try infusions of (I guess is a biologic) called Symboni. My ins probably won't cover Actemra. After two infusions I can't tell any difference. Maybe worse. They say to wait and I have tried to. Now she wants me to go up to 3 mg of prednisone before I see her In Sept. My whole body ached and I have been miserable and ready to give up completely. I should add my primary thinks I have PMR. My rheumatologist insists I have RA. I know it is hard to diagnose. I had thought my cortisol would have kicked in at such a small amount of prednisone.

I took the advice of never reducing by more than 10% at a time from my current dosage. For me, 5mg was the sticking point. I had been tapering at the rate of .5mg every 10-11 days, but 4.5mg was uncomfortable (sore arms) and 4mg worse (VERY sore arms). At that point I returned to 5mg for one day, then starting tapering by .25mg using a pill splitter. Relief was pretty much instant. By the time I finished, I was dividing 1mg pills into four and 5mg pills into eight - the math got interesting. I had also stopped having any reaction to tapers, and at some point changed over to a week rather than 10 days.

I've been off Prednisone for eight weeks. To be honest, I don't feel exactly as I did prior to getting PMR a year ago, but I'm fully functional and most discomfort can be shrugged off as maybe-age-related.

Not sure but from what my doctors have said and what I've researched, a defining diagnosis of PMR is if the Prednisone helps you right away. I was in excruciating pain and so sick for months before starting Prednisone. My sister picked up the scrip and brought it to me at 3:30 pm, 10 mg, and by 6 pm I was completely pain free and feeling great. Less than 3 hours. Somepeople i think it takes maybe until the next day but I believe it always kicks in fast if you have PMR and doesn't with anything else.

I took the advice of never reducing by more than 10% at a time from my current dosage. For me, 5mg was the sticking point. I had been tapering at the rate of .5mg every 10-11 days, but 4.5mg was uncomfortable (sore arms) and 4mg worse (VERY sore arms). At that point I returned to 5mg for one day, then starting tapering by .25mg using a pill splitter. Relief was pretty much instant. By the time I finished, I was dividing 1mg pills into four and 5mg pills into eight - the math got interesting. I had also stopped having any reaction to tapers, and at some point changed over to a week rather than 10 days.

I've been off Prednisone for eight weeks. To be honest, I don't feel exactly as I did prior to getting PMR a year ago, but I'm fully functional and most discomfort can be shrugged off as maybe-age-related.

Did you have some pain at each taper level?

Not sure but from what my doctors have said and what I've researched, a defining diagnosis of PMR is if the Prednisone helps you right away. I was in excruciating pain and so sick for months before starting Prednisone. My sister picked up the scrip and brought it to me at 3:30 pm, 10 mg, and by 6 pm I was completely pain free and feeling great. Less than 3 hours. Somepeople i think it takes maybe until the next day but I believe it always kicks in fast if you have PMR and doesn't with anything else.

Initially I had added discomfort with each taper, not a lot but noticeable. My notes often indicate tiredness. Any pain effects would wear off after a few days. Toward the end, I barely noticed transitions, although my notes still indicated arm pain on some days. I stopped Prednisone in early July. Don't feel back to normal, but, really, at 80, "normal" is difficult to pin down.

It's often not easy to know what to blame - PMR, Prednisone, age, or those initial lawn mowings when the grass is long and wet. That said, with PMR I only had pain in my arms, shoulders and somewhat in the upper back. Since stopping Prednisone, there is noticeable discomfort in my legs that didn't exist before or during Prednisone, and may be a withdrawal symptom despite my slow taper. (See the forum topic Off Prednisone but Residual Stiffness - everyone mentions their legs.)

Yes, when I first started prednisone 20 mg I felt like I was a new person the next day. Hate the side effects. Both myself and primary dr are convinced it is PMR. But he sent me to a rheumatologist who tried to convince us it is RA. I still think it is PMR. Thanks for replying. It helps.