Tapering prednisone

What does your doctor recommend? You are fortunate to be able to taper from 20 mg to 1 mg in only six months. I always admire people who can taper as quickly as you have. Perhaps you have more useful information to share than those of us who needed prednisone for years.

It took me close to 13 years to taper off Prednisone for the treatment of PMR. After many failed attempts to taper off Prednisone slowly, I went from 3 mg to zero by reducing my dose by 1 mg every 2 days. The recommendation by an endocrinologist was that as long as my cortisol level stayed at "adequate levels," it was safe for me to go from 3 mg to zero in one step. The endocrinologist consulted my rheumatologist to make sure I no longer needed Prednisone for PMR -- or any other conditions being treated with Prednisone.

I am almost at 3 years now. I got down to 6 mg for a month. Then got breast cancer and had a flare and went back up ton 10, now at 8. Seems impossible sometimes🫤.

Whoa -- your question is very timely as I have have just a renewed a conversation about 'aggressive tapering' mentioned in Dr Sattui's talk ( video posted ) , which I might have traced back to his training in NYC. See my comment here: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/comment/1209303/

Just curious -At any time with discussions with your PCP or Rheumatologist were there any hints that this was quicker taper than typically advised* ?

*This table is from this paper. " Is there a safe and effective way to wean patients off
long-term glucocorticoids? author=Emma Baker " There is PMR case study .
T A B L E 3 An example tapering regimen for reducing glucocorticoid dose in patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases41
1, 4 mg on day 2)
Dose (prednisolone
or equivalent) Taper
>40 mg. 5-10 mg/d every 1–2 weeks
20–40 mg 5 mg/d every 1–2 weeks
10–20 mg 2.5 mg/d every 2–3 weeks
5–10 mg 1 mg/d every 2–4 weeks
≤5 mg 0.5 mg/d every 2–4 weeks (can be achieved by alternating daily doses

Been on prednisone for PMR for over 4 years now, tapered down to 8 mg daily. Yesterday, for the first time, I forgot to take my dose, always take early in the a.m. Well, by the afternoon, my body was aching to beat the band and I was running a 100.2 fever. I thought it was maybe the flu which always strikes this time of year but now I wonder because skipping a dose when taking long term can exacberate the symptoms of why one is taking Prednisone. Took my usual dose this a.m., feeling more back to normal.

Started on 20mg Pred 11/23, down to 10 mg on 6/24, pretty smooth sailing from 20-10mg. Now down to 2 mg and it's been tough to go much lower. Had a gout attack a few days ago which required a few days of higher does. Gearing up for another run at getting to zero.

I forgot to take my 1mg and I got a flare and became very sore. Now at 1.5 mg. I cut a one in half and will work down to 1, then .5. in over a few weeks. It’s very tempting to go faster but I realize slow is the way to go. The best to you all

I have gotten myself down to 6mg for the second time on this 6 month roller coaster. I feel pretty good except for my hands which tingle and are numb and stiff in spots, not always the same spots. Exercise seems to make a big difference because part of the problem is reconditioning muscles through lack of use.

Keeping my hands and other parts warm seems to help. I am not all that careful about my non inflammatory diet but I do try.

A danger of feeling better is that prednisone is not the first thing on my mind each morning so I have a hard time remembering to take it, or if I took it, so I write it down on my calendar each day after I take it.

Cheers all.

I agree with the exercise part. My back and glutes are totally pain free, issues are still in shouders and right wrist. My understanding is PMR is restricting blood flow to certain muscles and exercising these areas might help mitigate this. I walk and hike alot but have not done near as much exercise with my upper body.

A dosette box is good way to make sure you take your meds every day. I have one with a compartment for each day of the week, but I fill up 6 compartment once a day with various medications and supplements. The prednisone and thyroid meds are the most important ones that I don't want to miss.