@betsyhase

Prednisone is commonly tapered by 1 mg per month after you reach 10 mg. After that, "setbacks" might be inevitable no matter how slowly a person tapers while on lower doses of prednisone.

I had many setbacks during my 12 years of being on prednisone. My doctors were very patient with me most of the time. Eventually a doctor said 12 years was "too long" to be on prednisone and wanted me to try something different. I'm very grateful to the doctor who wanted me to try a biologic called Actemra which was introduced to me as my "best hope" of ever getting off prednisone.

Funny thing happened after I started Actemra. I was told that I tapered "too fast" when I went from 7mg to 3 mg in a couple of weeks.. I had to stay on 3 mg for a long time until my cortisol level improved. A setback of PMR pain wasn't ever a problem while I took Actemra and stayed on 3 mg of prednisone. After my cortisol level improved AND while PMR pain was still controlled with Actemra, I was told to discontinue prednisone. After my cortisol level improved, going from 3 mg to zero didn't involve a long and slow taper. I would not say "no taper" because that wasn't how I discontiued prednisone.

@betsyhase This disease takes alot of patience, There's no set protocol because we're all so different with treatment. The first year to 18 months flares are common, which I've had. I see different doctors and they all have different opinions. It's frustrating but I believe a slow taper is the best way, Wishing you all the best!