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Timing of taking prednisone

Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) | Last Active: Jun 16 6:20am | Replies (45)

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@mnmom1

Hi,
I am wanting to taper off my prednisone. I will do it under a Drs care as it can be dangerous to do it on my own.
Just wondering what dose others have used to taper and the time frame to taper. I can be patient and taper in small doses. I’m on 15 mg daily, now I take 10 mg with breakfast and 5 mg around lunch time. That seemed to help with breakthrough pain the next morning.

My question is- what dose have others used to taper off of prednisone? I see my Rheumatologist in March so I would like some info for our discussion. My pain is much better, have been on prednisone since July and I am sick of the side effects.

Thanks for any help!

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Replies to "Hi, I am wanting to taper off my prednisone. I will do it under a Drs..."

I was on prednisone for 3 and half years the first time my PMR was diagnosed. There is another discussion you might find helpful:
--- PMR Dosages and Managing Symptoms:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/pmr-dosages/.

I think the key to tapering off of prednisone is to manage the pain levels and listen to your body. My rheumatologist had me keep a daily log of pain level when I got up in the morning and the prednisone dose for the day. It helped me decided when and how to taper off. Each of us are different but my last six months of my first round with PMR I went back and forth between 1 mg and 1/2 mg prednisone (hate pill splitting!) until I was finally able to stop taking prednisone without a lot of pain.

My dr told me to taper 1/2 mg per week. I started at 12 mg. Now down to 6.