Flareups, Prednisone, Tapering

After being diagnosed with PMI, the course of treatment is prednisone or prednisolone. Taking these steroids makes the inflammation, aches and stiffness seem to disappear.

But let’s talk about tapering. When decreasing down to a certain amount, the aches and stiffness reappear. At first you may think it is a flareup but after revisiting the rheumatologist, come to find out this is actually the result of weaning off the steroids. I am finally down to 1 mg. Prednisone daily and am not a happy camper. I am experiencing morning stiffness, and stiffness after sitting too long. I am told this is the weaning process. Some have said this can last for weeks or months.

For those who no longer are taking prednisone, what has been your experience?