Stop taking steroids

You can’t do that. Talk to your Dr

That’s not a great idea. I’m not a medical professional but I know suddenly stopping can cause adrenal insufficiency or adrenal crisis. Talk to your dr and maybe they can add a steriod sparing medicine, allowing you to stop or reduce much more quickly. Good luck!

Agree with above comments. Abrupt discontinuation of prednisone at this dosage level can result in severe and potentially life threatening complications. Please talk to your doctor about this. Hope all goes well for you and you are able to achieve a lasting remission.

Suddenly stopping prednisone is not an option, for your own safety.
"If you suddenly stop steroid tablets you may experience withdrawal symptoms such as weakness, tiredness, feeling sick, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, low blood sugar and low blood pressure which can cause dizziness, fainting or collapse. These side effects can be serious or even life-threatening."

Your weight gain sounds like a big worry for you. Prednisone does mess with blood sugars which can increase hunger. I’ve maintained the same weight on prednisone after 19 months by eating and drinking low carbohydrate, no processed food, no additives, no gluten. Some days it's not easy but I drink extra water or do something distracting outdoors if hunger nags. It's just the steroids trying to trick us into eating when our body doesn't need it.

I want to give you hope that maintaining or getting back to a more healthy body weight is possible even on prednisone, by concentrating on eating plenty of nutritious fresh food, planning the day's meals and moving more. It just takes a decision to prioritise your health. You can do it!

Thanks everyone . I will do it gradually over the next three months

Help! I need your advice I think my PMR is back. I took my last dose of 2.5mg prednisone two months ago. I have had some stiffness in my shoulders and arms lately. Now I have pain to the touch in my thighs. Of course, it's the holidays and the weekend so I can't reach anyone. Should I go back on prednisone to relieve this pain? I'm hosting Christmas Eve at my house so I have lots to do. I hate to do this since I'm pretty sure that my osteoporosis is back. I had taken prednisone since February until I stopped on October 25th. What's the advice on what dosage I should take to help with the pain? I don't want to rely on prednisone again, but I needed to get through the holidays. I will call my doctor tomorrow to see what she says, but right now I need some relief. Any suggestions would be so appreciated! TIA

Sorry, you're having a flare up. I would take 1000 mg. of tylenol today and talk to my doc tomorrow. Remember, if you start taking prednisone, you'll have to taper. If the tylenol didn't help me and the pain was unbearable, I'd probably take some prednisone. Can't recommend a doseage. I started my PMR journey early summer 2024, so I'm definitely not an 'authority'. Hopefully, someone else with respond to your post. I find a walk helps with my hip/thigh/knee pain. Mornings can be the worst. Good luck.

I find the stress from planning an event or just doing too much flares my PMR. Try 1mg, it may take the edge off. If not go up another mg. I am down to 1 mg and it keeps me moving, this was advice from my rheumatologist. I still have pain and stiffness but it’s not keeping me from moving. Unfortunately, Prednisone is the go to medication to bring down the inflammation. And i have osteoporosis a well and it’s a constant worry i am getting rid of inflammation but destroying my bones.

Thank you for your reply! I will try 1mg but I think I may need more. I had a double fusion in 2022 so I'm dealing with severe lower back pain too. I had a stimulator implanted for that pain, but that didn't work. I will be having it removed after the first of the year. My pain doctor said he couldn't do anything else for that pain. I'm pretty depressed and stressed with the pain of both. Thanks, again!

anncoco57:
Please see your doc. Going from 7.5 to 0 in 3 months is almost certainly going to be problematic, and potentially dangerous.