How does one know when it is OK to start a slow taper?

John - Thank you for the great link and explanation! I’ve been on the pred rollercoaster for PNR and GCA since September 2020. I find it helpful to keep a calendar/journal to document dosage, time of day pred is taken, any symptoms, and exercise. I refuse to take methotrexate, as I feel I KNOW prednisone and the effects it has on me…and I don’t want to start over. Mentally, it’s important for me to remember that tapering is NOT a race! I have “down” days, (hey, I live in the Midwest), but I try to stay as active as possible. I’ve learned to slow down and pay attention to what my body is telling me. And I never stop researching and learning , so this Connect site is great!

Welcome to Connect @barbiek! It is a great site where we are all in this together and learn from each others experiences. You are right, it's definitely not a race when tapering off of prednisone and each of us are different.

Keeping a daily log really helped me also. Have you made any other lifestyle changes to help with the PMR/GCA?

I actually have a very low tolerance for steroids, so it took a lot of work and research on my part to even get the prednisone in my body! As a result, I’ve made a lot of dietary changes, as my goal was to get through the high-dose pred without being diabetic and suffering extensive bone loss. I drink a high protein, high calcium smoothie with kale and fresh fruit every morning…and then eat fairly healthy the rest of the day. I have a horrible sweet tooth, but have pretty much given up cookies and pastries, as I fear the inflammatory consequences! I reward myself with a piece of dark chocolate only after I take my pred. When I was diagnosed with GCA and PMR ; started on 60 mg. prednisone; gained 27 lbs; etc. Now I’m down 30 lbs. and at 2/2.5 mg. I do my best to at least walk every day, but this winter has been brutal in that regard. So I lift light weights, dance, listen to music, and try for a semi-regular night’s sleep (8-9 hours). Napping makes me groggy (always has), so I avoid that. I suck at meditation, though I wish I didn’t!