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← Return to Tapering off of Prednisone
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This is the DSNS taper plan. Considered the gold standard in the UK. Many people swear by it, but for some it doesn't work. Me included. I discovered a flaw at the turnaround. If you lay it out on a calendar - starting on a Sunday. You will find the the week before the turnaround gives you 2 days on the new dose, and then the following week, you get (I think it's) 5 new dose and 2 old dose. That's a big jump for someone who's trying to take it slow. And it caused me problems twice before I figured out what the problem was. If you go on healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk and go to the FAQ's section - find tapering and look for DL's plans as other options. I have better luck with them. DL stands for Dorset Lady.
Replies to "This is the DSNS taper plan. Considered the gold standard in the UK. Many people swear..."
DSNS didn't work for me either. I noticed the person who promotes this tapering plan says "it isn't slow if it works." However, that person has been unable to taper off for 14 years. In my opinion, 14 years is an extremely long time to be on prednisone. Apparently DSNS doesn't work for that person.
I would encourage people to try DSNS. You never know what might work for someone. I was a long time prednisone user too and kept trying to taper off prednisone. I felt like I knew how to taper off but I was unable to get off prednisone for 12 years after PMR was diagnosed. My goal was to get off prednisone somehow and I was willing to try anything that my doctor suggested.
My doctor suggested a biologic that wasn't approved to treat PMR . The person who advocates for DSNS said, "prednisone was the only option for PMR."
The biologic worked for me and I was able to taper off prednisone in 7 months after the biologic was started. I have been off prednisone for 3 years. I haven't been able to stop the biologic so I'm not cured. My rheumatologist admits the biologic isn't ideal but probably better than taking prednisone for the rest of my life.
I don't have any significant side effects from the biologic I'm taking. I can't say the same about prednisone because I had many side effects. My worst side effect of long term prednisone use was adrenal insufficiency. People need to be aware of this side effect.
https://www.endocrine-abstracts.org/ea/0056/ea0056p44
I think most doctors are aware of this particular complication of long term prednisone use. I think that is why they want us off prednisone as soon as possible.
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If the jump is to big then reduce the increased dose to suit your body. It is not a follow exactly scheme, it is a guide. What I have found is that PMR is an individual thing. Prednisone works, as much as I hate it, and doctors gave me a starting dose and tell me to adjust it as I need. Doctors don't know how I feel and being in Canada waiting 6 weeks to see a doctor, if I can find one is to long as many will attest.