How did you cope with the side effects tapering off prednisone?

I’m similar to you, I can’t go below 4 mg without flaring badly. I took HQC like you for a year but it had no effect on PMR, might have kept me from getting Covid lol. Prednisone is all that works for me so far.

The bruising is so unsightly! I bought thin white leggings to wear with dresses and I don’t wear shorts. Yuck. Sorry for us.

I relate to getting the bruises and gashes. In my pre prednisone life if I bumped the coffee table there was little to show. Now disaster ! I get bleeding ( I’m on blood thinners ) and the wound takes forever to heal. It just seems to be one complication after another.

My friend referred me to Arnicare Gel for bruising. This is the first time I have used it. Previously, it would have taken at least a full month to heal the ugly red marks on my arms. It has now been two weeks and the marks are substantially healed. I would guess they would be totally gone within a week. So, I am probably eliminating at least a week of looking like an abused woman by using Arnicare.

Someone suggested Emu oil to me. I just bought some and will be trying it. Worth a try.

i have been using arnica. it doesn’t do much for older bruises but seems to be helping large solid one a little.

I found it didn’t do much initially and then All of the sudden , an 8 inch bruise started to gradually disappear. I bet it will be gone in three weeks. Normally something this big would have taken at a minimum a month. I agree that you need to get it on immediately and that it doesn’t do much for older bruises.

I've tapered from 15mg (6 weeks) to 12.5mg (two weeks) daily and realized just yesterday that I'm feeling oddly normal suddenly. I'm not even noticing much in the way of Prednisone side effects.
I see the doctor this afternoon and will ask about going down to 10mg daily then get the 1mg tablets for a slower tapering.
He's also questioning the Tramadol (for Fibro pain) and since I get migraines, I'll see if I can try Topamax. If so, I may be able to taper off the Tramadol and no longer take the Imitrex for migraines. Very exciting!

So sorry about the effects of steroids on your skin. We could have a contest to vote on which side effect we hate the most.

In April started 20 ml steroid. It was wonderful. Started tapering to 17.5 then 15. Pain came back and doctor said go back up to 20. Now 20 doesn't seem to have same effect as it did before. Profound weakness and unsteady in walking. Can't see doctor till August. About ready to give up.