Connect
← Return to How did you cope with the side effects tapering off prednisone?
Discussion
How did you cope with the side effects tapering off prednisone?
Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) | Last Active: Jan 4 4:16pm | Replies (205)Comment receiving replies
Yes, thank you all. The headaches did stop. But the tiredness is beyond anything I've every experienced. Difficult to function (think, do my job, even exercise). Also, I went from a 0 pain level before tapering to now maybe a 8-9 pain level. I went down 2 mg Methyprednisolone (from 16 mg to 14 mg). So I am discouraged. Or is this normal ? Do others feel some pain come back a little when they taper?
Replies to "Yes, thank you all. The headaches did stop. But the tiredness is beyond anything I've every..."
Hello Abbeyc,
I started on 20 mg of Prednisone 4/21 (16mnths) down to 6mg now. Tapering started at 2.5mg every 1 to 2 mnths. until I hit 7. 5mg. Pain, stiffness & elevated CRP levels caused my Dr. to increase to 10mg again. This was last January 2022 so tapering under 10mg has been really difficult & slow. Dr. & I go on my symptoms & CPR levels. I do feel fatigue & increase in PMR symptoms with each decrease esp under the 10mg. PMR is suppose to go into remission. Best of luck to you.
Connect
That seems like a very large increase in pain for a fairly small drop in dosage. If it were me I would call my doctor. I started on 20 mg of prednisone and did not have any pain until I got down to 8 mg. That was about 4 months into treatment.