Connect
← Return to Tapering off of Prednisone
Discussion
Comment receiving replies
Hello @lymanola, Welcome to Connect. Tapering off of prednisone can be the difficult. My first time with PMR took 3-1/2 years to taper off with the last six months going back and forth between 1 mg and 1/2 mg until I could finally stop taking it with little to no aches/pains in the morning. If you you problems you may want to give this tapering plan a try also.
-- Dead slow and nearly stop reduction plan (Tapering)
https://healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk/posts/131189593/dead-slow-and-nearly-stop-reduction-plan
You might also find the following discussion helpful:
-- PMR Dosages and Managing Symptoms
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/pmr-dosages/
Do you keep a daily log with your pain level when you get up along with the dosage of prednisone for that day?
Replies to "Hello @lymanola, Welcome to Connect. Tapering off of prednisone can be the difficult. My first time..."
I began my journey 9/24/21 with 40mg Prednisone fast forward to 11/1/22 @ 3mg AM 1mg PM and the onset of neck/shoulder pain, Thundering heart beat in the AM and minor balance issue. Received the follow from my Rummy
There are 3 concerns when tapering prednisone to doses lower than 5mg/day:
1. Recurrence of the inflammatory disease (PMR).
2. Steroid withdrawal symptoms (which should be self limited and improve if given enough time, though it may take very slow prednisone tapering).
3. Adrenal insufficiency (because the dose of prednisone is lower than what your body needs to support electrolyte and fluid management).
We did a complete blood tests including CRP, ESR and a morning Cortisol test.
Fortunately all test indicated normal ranges and most likely my symptoms are Prednisone Withdrawal related. This was my introduction into the complication of “withdrawal”. After searching the WEB and reading a lot. My conclusion: it is often very difficult to distinguish what is happening in your body when withdrawal symptoms often mimic PMR and Prednisone side effects. After blood test and further discussion with Rummy and a 2 week “stabilizing “ 4mg PM Prednisone - This Sunday 12/18/22 I will be continuing my taper using the plan you mentioned.
— Dead slow and nearly stop reduction plan (Tapering)
https://healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk/posts/131189593/dead-slow-and-nearly-stop-reduction-plan
Thank you all who contribute to our journey.
Connect
Thank you