Keep encouraged, tapering second time is working

Great to hear your husband is doing better @joycj. It really helps to have a special encourager on your PMR team. I thought you might be interested in another discussion started by @dadcue that has some really good reference links.

-- How to Slowly and Safely Taper Off Prednisone but ... no set rules.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/how-to-slowly-and-safely-taper-off-prednisone-but-no-set-rules/

I have always used extra vergin organic olive oil from Italy. Unfortunately I have PMR. However, I started at 16mg Methylprednisolone for 30 days and then 1.5 weeks ago went down to 12mg. So far I am doing well with no PMR symptoms at all. Maybe my olive oil is helping.

Hello, and thank you for sharing your husbands progress. Next month I"ll be 73 and 2 yrs into my PMR. I too have noticed positive changes in the last few weeks. No pain in my shoulders and hips that I normally would expect while tapering or after exertion, yard work etc. Hardly any brain fog as well. This makes me think that my PMR is going into remission. Not entirely sure because I don't have all the answers to this disease but I am encouraged. My wife and I are just getting thru RSV. I feel so blessed to have gotten thru it easily. Hers evolved to pneumonia and a 6 day hospital stay.

My doctor recommended tapering by .5mg each month when I reached 5mg. I stretched it to a month and a half. The only flare up that I've had, that set me back was last year, nine months into the PMR. I was at 6mgs, tapering every month by 1mg. I experienced moderate pain in my shoulders and hips with brain fog at each drop in Prednisone. Along with what felt like possible flares at times after extra lifting and yard work. The month and a half plan seems to be working well for me. I'm finally optimistic about making some progress. I'm at 3mgs now. hoping to drop to 2.5mg by the end of February.
Grace and best wishes to all
Ernie