this is the protocol which has worked well for me. It does take a considerable amount of weaning time, and patience with yourself, but for me, so far so good. It has taken me quite a while to reduce from 7 mg - 7/6/ for 4 weeks 6/6 for 4 wks, 6/5 and so on. Now at 4 mg for another 2 weeks. This is my 3 rd round of PMR each one 11 years apart. But by far this is the most challenging one to wean down. At 4 mg I am experiencing mood shifts, de-personalization, crying jags and restlessness. No pain and amazingly low CRP number 2.7! My philosophy is that if I have to go back to 5mg and then have to stay on that indefinitely, that's what my individual body needs. the goal for me is to lead a full, and conscious lifestyle - Joy is my goal lol