I have found that tapering even 5 mg at a time is too fast and I have too many withdrawal symptoms. I am only going down 1 mg at a time. Today I spoke w a Nurse I work with that said I probably should be decreasing 1/2 mg at a time. I explore all options bc I don't believe my Rheumatoid Dr has enough experience and I think this PMR is such a mystery that you have to find what works for you as an individual. One plan for sure does not fit us all.
I have been taking 3 mg. Doing pretty good on that does. I had a stomach virus this weekend and I took 2 mg instead of my 3mg. It made a big difference. I could hardly bend down and put my clothes on this morning, so I increased my dosage back to 3mg this morning. Hopefully I will feel better later today.
Also, this part is a question for John. When you decreased your dose, was it when you felt good on that particular dose before you decreased? The reason I ask, is like I said, I felt good on the 3mg and thought I would try the 2 mg. Too much, maybe I will go back and do the 3 mg f0pr a month and then go down to 2 1/2 mg the next month, like the Nurse suggested. When I see my physician, she just wants me off of the prednisone. That is her goal.. Well mine too, but I have to be able to move in order to be off. I have been fortunate, I have no side effects that I know of from the prednisone, but I started w 10mg and have never been on a higher dose.
Thanks for all your feedback ya'll!!