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Still confused about tapering
Hi there, I was diagnosed with PMR about 4 months ago ... my rheumatologist gave me a "schedule" for tapering but I haven't been able to follow it because my symptoms return if I do. I understand tapering is variable but my question is this: How do I know when to go down in dose? Should I be completely symptom free before going down to next dose or 80% or 90% symptom free? Or 50%? And if I go down and symptoms worsen should I wait at that lower dose for a few days and hope the symptoms will settle or do I need to go back up? (I am on Prednisone only and currently 15mg daily and can't seem to go lower than that. I started at 20mg and was about 95% symptom free on my starting dose).
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@jabrown0407 ... I can see the logic on that method of tapering.
I've had the same question, and so far no good answer. I also have been on prednisone for 4 months (Nov 14, 2025), and started with 20mg. My Rhemy has me on a schedule of 2.5 mg taper every 3 weeks until I reach 10mg and then down 1mg per month. When and if I reach 5mg She said we'll have to see and maybe stretch out the time between taper). I've been able to do that and just went down to 9mg today. For most of the 4 months I had to split the dose (8am, and 3pm) otherwise I would have pain at night. The split dose works well. Some people take the evening dose close to bedtime.
I recommend you go to YouTube. Look up Dr Megan, the prednisone Pharmacist. She has over 1,000 videos on prednisone, PMR, tapering and much more. I find her indispensable. She also will answer direct questions.
@bonandrods
Speaking of Dr. Megan... the following is one of her more recent videos about tapering that is very informative.
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2 Reactions@dadcue I just love her! She has helped me so much. Glad I discovered her my first week after diagnosis. Thanks for this!