Confused: Tapering vs cold turkey stopping prednisone

Your starting dose depends on my factors. Some doctors take a different approach than other doctors. Sometimes your diagnosis makes a difference and it usually is presumptive PMR or maybe something else to begin with. I took 40 mg of prednisone for PMR to start with but that was because my inflammatory markers were still elevated on 30 mg. I was sometimes told to try 100 mg of prednisone if I could tolerate it but that was for another autoimmune condition.

Yes, because of this I have not started prednisone.trying to find another doctor without a long wait. I have been hurting since early December, but when she told me I did not havrpebtontaper after ten days on 20, I knew I coukd not trust her.

Ok but if you are having inflamation and elevated blood tests you should be on the steroid. Good luck and let us know how you are.

She said it wasn’t necessary
To take blood work. I am going to a private lab in five days and do it myself. I have an appointment with rheumatologist in may but am worried about no treatment. My glaucoma is very bad. I have one good eye but other eye is legally blind. She said there was no other options and said methotrexate was not an option.i am getting acupuncture and am no longer eating sugar. But it is getting worse.

You need to see the new rheumatologist sooner rather than later. It’s important to get right blood tests. Also your ophthalmologist asap. Unfortunately the sugar right now is not part of your issue. Hope you get in right hands soon, especially with your eye issues.

It is virtually impossible to see a rheumatologist before three or four months. My opthamologist wants to take pressures after I start prednisone which I had to today . My pain was so horrific and stiffness so bad I knew I was going to nit be able to get up the next time. Trying to get in to see another primary care doctor.

Took first dose of 20 prednisone today. Within hours I was better. Tonight I Lay down on my side first time in months,BUT my heart rate is up considerably.I have been in permanent afib for three years. Everything was good because heart rate was at 85. Now it is anywhere from 100 to 120. Have left messages with heart rhythm doc and general doc. I am a mess, it seems.but it has to be horrible on the body having that inflammation so bad.

When my PMR started I had beenseeing a rheumatologist for 6 months - in her office cryin in paintwie she kept sayig I had to wait fo r the medicne to work. Called my primaruy who sent me to the ER. Two injections of morphine did not east the pain so I was admitted. My primary care doc put me on methylprednisolone by injection and in 10 minutes I felt relief! Rhumatologist call.ed my primaty while he was at bedside screaming why di he put me on methylpednisolone. He told her because she was not helping me. No rheumatologist at hospital an after 10 days of trying to change hospitals (it was during covid) my daughter took me to SC to rheumay there who immedately diagnosed the PMR. I say this because all theumatologists are no knowledgable abut PMR. I should hav been being treated correctly for 6 month before - instead I sufferred needlessly.

This is a horror story which only confirms what I now believe……most doctors and veterinarians don’t have a clue as to what is wrong with you or what to do. It is a crap shoot.some get the rare docs who really care….sone don’t.mi am so glad you finally got help. I am into this only two months. Cannot imagine six months of that kind of pain. The people I have talked to about it seem to think it is a few arthritic aches and pains. I stopped talking to anyone about it. Again so glad you found help.

I certainly would not go cold, turkey being on 20 mg. I have repeatedly heard that’s what you’re not supposed to do you’re supposed to taper off.

With that said, I see a lot of conversations about pain and let me share that my husband he was just diagnosed In Oct. was on a scale of one to 10 at at eight. The prednisone took him down to a five.

We added in supplements to take down inflammation, and has brought the pain level down to a three.

You really need to discuss this with your doctor or certainly get a naturalist who can make good recommendations as to take him down inflammation.

My husband now takes

Omega-3 twice a day
Vitamin D3 with K2-with food
Magnesium is huge for pain, relief!
Calcium citrate-with food
B complex (Jarrow B-Right) with food.

Good luck to all! It’s important to understand vitamins whether they are water, soluble, or fat soluble in what that means.🙏🏻 It’s very important to understand.

He didn’t get on the supplements until just a couple weeks ago and already has seen a better improvement. I expect after two months it should be even better.