1. < Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR)

Prednisone Taper from 40 mg to 7.5 in one day ‘

Posted by issyb @issyb, Mar 20, 2023

My doctor wants me to reduce my 40 mg of prednisone to 7.5 mg
I feel like that is an awful big drop ! Has anyone else experienced this? I have been on 40 mg for one month..
does this sound right to anyone? I thought you’re supposed to taper very slowly

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) Support Group.

yeb | @yeb | May 8, 2023
In reply to @marmak "That's huge! Any particular rational why? Just went through that, or agreed to try, and it..." + (show)
@marmak

That's huge! Any particular rational why? Just went through that, or agreed to try, and it was horrible. Was on 60mg prednisone for 1 month following a diagnosis of GCA. Had been down to 2mg after 6 years of yoyo dosing due to flares. My rheumatologist wasn't convinced I had GCA (negative biopsy) and I was having disturbing side effects so he dropped me from 60 to 40mg with no taper. Lasted 2 days, at which point all I could do was sit in a chair and shake. GCA symptoms came back so I bumped back up and walked down 5mg a week until I hit 30mg and stopped there (his goal being 20mg). That was still too fast, but my BP was out of control. Pay attention to your body. Best of luck.

Jump to this post

Be sure to watch your blood pressure. I was tapering down from 30 mg and had a stroke (brain bleed). My neurologist blames the prednisone.

REPLY
1 reply
tillysam | @tillysam | May 9, 2023

Slow and steady should be your mantra. From 40 mg.taper to 35 for at least a month and so on. If you are not happy, you can taper to 35 1/2 mg. Prednisone comes in many different amounts. My best to you.

REPLY
12345chris | @12345chris | May 9, 2023
In reply to @yeb "Be sure to watch your blood pressure. I was tapering down from 30 mg and had..." + (show)
@yeb

Be sure to watch your blood pressure. I was tapering down from 30 mg and had a stroke (brain bleed). My neurologist blames the prednisone.

Jump to this post

30mg isd far too.much pted doublr my initial.dose for PMR unlessnyou had.CGA . I hope things get better for you soon

REPLY
grammy82 | @grammy82 | May 9, 2023

I'm no physician, but that sounds radical. What does he say the reason for such a drastic drop it? I sure wouldn't be comfortable with that, sometimes even our ESR and CRP can be normal but the disease is not in remission.
Does he think you are cured? Are you in pain? Wow sums up my reaction.💞

REPLY
issyb | @issyb | May 10, 2023

What happened was he thought I only had PMR because my biopsy on my temples artiritis came back inconclusive. Now that it’s positive I am back on 40 mg will go to 5 mg in a month and taper from there. !! A mess ! But finally on a better plan of care !! Thank you for your responses 😍

REPLY
1 reply
cah | @cah | May 10, 2023

Hello.....
Usually, when tapering 1 mg doctors recommend reducing 1 mg for every 30 days.
I know it gets tricky when dosage is at 5mg and tapering to 4mg.
When tapering by 1/2 mg would that be every 15 days or 30 days?

REPLY
1 reply
cah | @cah | May 10, 2023

Hello.....
When tapering by 1/2 vs l mg; would that be every 30days or 15 days??

REPLY
issyb | @issyb | May 10, 2023

Yes thank you
There was a discrepancy on a biopsy is why she did that big jump but now I went from 40 mg to 35 ( every 3 weeks I go down 5 mg!) hopefully this will work 🙏🙏
Thanks for posting !

REPLY
daniece | @daniece | May 11, 2023
In reply to @cah "Hello..... Usually, when tapering 1 mg doctors recommend reducing 1 mg for every 30 days. I..." + (show)
@cah

Hello.....
Usually, when tapering 1 mg doctors recommend reducing 1 mg for every 30 days.
I know it gets tricky when dosage is at 5mg and tapering to 4mg.
When tapering by 1/2 mg would that be every 15 days or 30 days?

Jump to this post

When I got down to 5 mg I tapered by 1/2 mg every month or so. I'm now at 3mg and have been stuck here for months. Just glad to be below 5mg now. Positive healing energy to you.

REPLY
froehlich22 | @froehlich22 | May 11, 2023

In general, to me, it does not sound like a manageable course of action.

REPLY
View MoreView Less
Please sign in or register to post a reply.