Reducing predisone side effects

Check with Dr, first.
Sounds like too big too fast a drop.
5 to 4 is a 20% drop.
Suggest you go back to 5 until all normal for a week or more.
Then try the alternating method.
This will work out to a 4.5 dose over the time and only 10% drop.
5 day 1
4 day 2
5 day 3
4 day 4
If no pain, continue for 2 - 3 weeks

@tweetypie13
Good advice. Check with doctor. Could be symptoms of adrenal/ cortisol deficiency.

@tweetypie13

Thank you so much for your advice. Question: after 3 weeks drop to 3 and 2?

@dga76
“My experience” was stay at dose until pain free for 3-4 weeks…..lower doses required slowwwww taper

@dga76
No…..you only want to drop small….10%……as in
5 mg to 4 mg means you are taking 4.5 mg for the 3 weeks
Assuming you pain free for at least 3 weeks…
My next step would be
Take4 mg daily for 3 weeks…again pain free.
Next would be alternate 4 and 3 daily to equal a 3.5 dose for 3 weeks minimum .
Etc.

I used DHEA 25 mg to mitigate side effects when tapering below 5mg
prednisone to lessen adrenal fatigue.

@tweetypie13
Thank you!

It seems that a lot of people taper in 0.5mg increments below 5mg. My rheumatologist does not believe in splitting pills so alternating in whole number mg is what I was instructed to do.
I am at 2mg. I am wondering if alternating between 2 and 1 mg is more difficult meaning it takes longer to be pain free during the 2 to 1 mg taper. I'm about ready to attempt it. I really do not want to increase above 2mg. My next appt is the middle of August and I would like to be at 1mg when I see him.
If it were me, I would go back to 5mg and rethink my taper.

@pmrsuzie my experience with alternating dose is no problem. 2/1 gives you 1.5……I stayed at a minimum of 3 weeks pain free before tapering again. If you have some discomfort, you can supplement with Tylenol for Arthritis. Give it a chance.