Prednisone tapering

You might find the following discussion helpful...
- How to Slowly and Safely Taper Off Prednisone but ... no set rules.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/how-to-slowly-and-safely-taper-off-prednisone-but-no-set-rules/

I was on 25mg and tried a 5mg decrease at my doctor's suggestion. After a few days I went back to 25mg until things calmed down and then did a 2.5mg decrease. That worked for me. I did 2.5mg decreases every 10 days until I reached 10mg. Three days of moderate PMR pain at each decrease and then things calmed down again. From 10mg I did 0.5mg decrease every four days until I reached 5mg. My doctor had suggested 1mg decrease each week but I told him I wanted to use smaller drops. From 5mg I'm doing 0.5mg decrease every 7 days. I was prescribed prednisone for PMR but two months later I was also diagnosed with SMM so I had to taper off prednisone. I started kevzara for the PMR and 3mg LDN to help with the bridge. I'm at 3mg prednisone now with mild to moderate PMR pain and waiting for the kevzara to begin working. Good luck with your taper and your dental appointment.

I don’t know that I have a lot to offer but I’ve gone through the “tapering off” process quite a few times. What works for me is to greatly reduce my sodium intake and follow a strict diet of whole foods only, like the Mediterranean Diet. No caffeine or sugar. Plus I take daily gentle walks… not too far, just to get my blood circulation going. Epson salt warm baths. I even practice lymphatic drainage massage on my face and body to help reduce swelling. These things sound simple but they really make a difference in how I feel and body swelling. Best of luck to you!

My experience having had PMR , I would say going from 20mg to 15mg should not have been that difficult from a prednisone withdrawal point of view. Prednisone stops your production of cortisol. The taper is to allow your body to start making cortisol on its own. You have the comment under auto immune so not sure what your treating but I would say whatever your treating has not resolved itself. It might be hard to taper if the condition is still the problem.

It’s gMG triple seronegative, I have some other issues too so the tapering could be a lot of things. There’s not a clear myasthenia gravis group but some of the struggles that some people have shared seem similar to mine. I have also picked up some ideas that have felt supportive.

I have GCA. Tapering down was okay until I went from 15 to 10 mg prednisone. Had a bad 2 weeks too but stable now. Not looking forward to next step down.

Several years of 10 mg of prednisone a day for medication allergic hive reactions. I need to note that this med that I am allergic to, is very necessary and others in the same class have been tried without success. I am safely tapering to 5 mg every other day. I will do this for a year or so, then replace one 10 mg day with 5mg. I will hold this dose for a year or more. One has to do what works for them. Took me years, but this is my way to successful tapering.

@gailcha I have GCA and PMR. Are you taking any other drugs for the GCA, like Actemra? I was diagnosed a little more than 2 years ago. I finished with prednisone a year ago, but I'm still taking Actemra injections every other week. How much are you going down with the the next step?

@jeff97 yes I also have Actrema infusions every 28 days. Doc stated she’s keeping me at 10 mg for 30 days, then will see.

I greatly appreciate all the different reports on tapering the prednisone! When I was first dxed with myasthenia gravis I heard it was sometimes called the “ snowflake disease “ because every person presented with a different constellation of symptoms. I’m beginning to think many of the autoimmune diseases are somewhat similar.
I’m learned something from each post. Of course it seems like “it’s always something “ as my dental problem from the prednisone is getting complicated because of course the dentist referred me to oral surgeon and then I have to go for a consultation first and etc etc and etc . It will probably take 2 weeks to get this tooth out. Meanwhile my mouth and throat are sore and I'm concerned about infection. It’s technically not a big deal but quite irritating… I’m know I'm not the only one having to go to the doctor , blood draw, infusion, scans, every
darn week but it’s tiring!!! It’s one of the reasons I couldn’t move back to our old house in the country where I had dreamed about living out my life . There’s no decent healthcare there anymore!!!! Moving to the city to be near grandchildren 13 years ago was probably my last move due to needing to be near better medical facilities . Anyway I’m grateful for all the help!