1. < Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR)

Timing of taking prednisone

Posted by pst @pst, Feb 12, 2023

Some of the side effects I have from prednisone include shakiness, blurred vision, inability to stand for long periods and general lack of coordination. I’m a painter so this isn’t helpful.
I noticed by day’s end those conditions improved. I started taking the prescription before bed. Early days, but it seems to work. Has anyone else tried this AND is there any reason one shouldn’t?
Thanks.

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brooklyn1947 | @brooklyn1947 | Jan 1 11:23am

My rheumatologist has me taking 5 mg in the AM & 2.5 mg in the evening. I still wake up being stiff, which lasts until afternoon. Will discuss with him if I can change when I take them. He is trying to wean me off the Prednisone.

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2 replies
nyxygirl | @nyxygirl | Jan 2 3:22pm
In reply to @brooklyn1947 "My rheumatologist has me taking 5 mg in the AM & 2.5 mg in the evening...." + (show)
@brooklyn1947

My rheumatologist has me taking 5 mg in the AM & 2.5 mg in the evening. I still wake up being stiff, which lasts until afternoon. Will discuss with him if I can change when I take them. He is trying to wean me off the Prednisone.

Jump to this post

The split dose of Prednisone really worked for me . I see these comments are the latest in a post from Feb 2023. Also, I responded quickly to Prednisone *, but required an increase above 20mg/day. I also have not relapsed , and tapered to zero mg in Sept 2024- yay ! @brooklyn1947 : It appears you have tapered from 15mg starting point to 7.5 mg, and still on a split dose. When you say "I still wake up being stiff, which lasts until afternoon" This is the state I was in from 15 mg and then an increase to 20mg total /day. -- I took medical leave from work because I did not know when the morning stiffness would subside. It seems unlikely given your comment , but have you ever thought of/ or discussed a higher dose ? it was when I increased to 30 mg /day in. split dose that I was completely rid of the stiffness of PMR !

*see the descriptions how patients respond to Prednisone in attached manuscript. ( Rapid and Sustained among others)

Shared files

kez533 muller et al Rheum 2020 (kez533-muller-et-al-Rheum-2020.pdf)

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jfannarbor | @jfannarbor | Jan 3 10:42am
In reply to @brooklyn1947 "My rheumatologist has me taking 5 mg in the AM & 2.5 mg in the evening...." + (show)
@brooklyn1947

My rheumatologist has me taking 5 mg in the AM & 2.5 mg in the evening. I still wake up being stiff, which lasts until afternoon. Will discuss with him if I can change when I take them. He is trying to wean me off the Prednisone.

Jump to this post

I was on a 5, 2.5 dosage to reduce the problem of prednisone interfering with sleep. Have you had any sleep problems with prednisone?

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1 reply
brooklyn1947 | @brooklyn1947 | Jan 3 7:27pm
In reply to @jfannarbor "I was on a 5, 2.5 dosage to reduce the problem of prednisone interfering with sleep...." + (show)
@jfannarbor

I was on a 5, 2.5 dosage to reduce the problem of prednisone interfering with sleep. Have you had any sleep problems with prednisone?

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Luckily, I do not have any sleep problems, but I do take Trazadone for sleep. I am also lethargic, which my rheumatologists says is attributed to the inflammation

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mnmom1 | @mnmom1 | Apr 29 11:17am
In reply to @mnmom1 "Hi, I am wanting to taper off my prednisone. I will do it under a Drs..." + (show)
@mnmom1

Hi,
I am wanting to taper off my prednisone. I will do it under a Drs care as it can be dangerous to do it on my own.
Just wondering what dose others have used to taper and the time frame to taper. I can be patient and taper in small doses. I’m on 15 mg daily, now I take 10 mg with breakfast and 5 mg around lunch time. That seemed to help with breakthrough pain the next morning.

My question is- what dose have others used to taper off of prednisone? I see my Rheumatologist in March so I would like some info for our discussion. My pain is much better, have been on prednisone since July and I am sick of the side effects.

Thanks for any help!

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It’s individual so please do it under your Drs care so it is safe. I weaned off successfully and it took a while.

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