Prednisone Taper Stories

I’m a 79 yo female….…..exercised etc. Hit between the eyes with PMR.
I do not know when you were diagnosed, or anything else.
My path has been to log daily drugs, pain level, temperature, exercise.
Have thrown everything at it, Aqua pt, pool exercise, pool walking, a functional movement specialist, etc.
Thru this blog and confirmation from my Rehumy…..
Prednisone never dropped more than 20%, after being pain free for a minimum of 2 wks.
Could not get past 8 mg prednisone, so was put on biologic Kevzara, which helped me taper off prednisone. Was off all prednisone in 3 1/2 months , still keeping daily log.
So in answer to your question, tapering is up to you.
Maybe see a Rehumatologist….

@tweetypie13 as mentioned I am under the care of a Rheumatologist. I was just trying to get an idea of what to expect in terms of what's considered an acceptable pain level to know when it's time to titrate down. Thank you for sharing your story.

It took me two years to taper from 30 mg. I have been completely off for four days now. Until I got to 10, I had permission to reduce by 2.5 mg at a time, but had frequent setbacks either due to increased pain or an elevated sed rate. I had labs every two weeks during that time. Below 10, I reduced by 1 mg per month and sometimes by 1/2 mg. It has been extremely slow, but went much faster after I was put on methotrexate, which I realize does not help many people. I wish you good luck in finding what works for you, but above all be patient.

@prestol thank you.

I tapered from 40 mg to 0 in 8 months. When I got down to 2 mg of prednisone pain returned.
I stayed at 2 mg for a short period of time and then decided to take the dive to zero I wanted to see if the pain level was about the same. Once I got to zero the pain level was not worse than it was at 2 mg. I did not have the help of a biologic. It has been 2 1/2 years since my diagnosis. I still experience some pain and stiffness. Each day is different. Recently, I have been able to go a few days without any over-the-counter pain meds.
Any pain is now manageable with Aleve or ibuprofen. It is a very individual
Journey. Wishing you well with your decision.

I was diagnosed with PMR in 2024, for a year I was treated with prednisone and initially had good luck with relieving pain. After about a year, one morning I woke up and the pain never went away, went to a rheumatologist and then was diagnosed with RA. I’ve been receiving treatment with Humira and trying to taper the prednisone. I’m currently down to 7 mg a day, from a high of 20mg/day with occasional flareups. Now dealing with an insurance plan that won’t cover Humira all of a sudden and wants me to use a biosimilar drug. My doctor and I have identified several drugs that seem to be very similar to Humira, however we can’t get them approved through the insurance. Overall, a very difficult situation and difficult at times to keep a good attitude, especially when dealing with insurance companies that just deny, deny, deny.

@dlb3
Great story, we all want to get there one way or the other.

Diagnosed March 2025…started with 15 mg daily, then in one week down to 10 mg after initial pain was gone.
Then after one month 5 mg daily. Since then I have. ( after reading all the comments in this site) taken over my “ taper” and over 10 months very slowly got down to 1/2 mg daily and just started alternating 1/2 every other day. My primary care is leaving it up to me as to when / if I completely stop.

Started my Prensinne journey Nov 2022, 40 mg daily to quiet symptoms. I was very active 73 year old male then. Last week I took my last 1 mg of prednisone. I saw a inept Rheumatologist for 2 years. In my area the choice was limited to one practice. I found and followed advice on this blog and began serious tapering in June 2025 at 8 MG to none this past week. I was at 2.5 for a while in last quarter. of 2025 and recognized my PMR symptoms had subsided.However, October 2025 I was diagnosed with Chronic Lymphatic Leukemia. After several iron infusions my PMR symptoms vanished. I do have a severe lower back issue now, and facing surgery to correct after 18 months of conservative but failed treatments. PMR gone, Prednisone stopped, so at least I am over that part of my aging ailments and prescribed medications. Taking much less meds these days and other than my sciatica issue, feeling good.

Just left FL Cancer office, and reviewed my recent blood work. All my Leukemia markers improved, white corp count down 20% red corp count up 15%. Told I was healthiest patient of the day.