When I got the diagnose back in June 2005, the doctor told me that it might take up to a year to get rid of my pmr (I also had temporal arthritis or Giant Cell arthritis as it is also called). Now I still have pmr and during a year I tapered about 1 mg from 5 down. I had to go up several times to 5 again. Now that I taper 0,5 mg per month, I am OK and feel no fatigue like I did before - the reason I went back up to 5.
To me it seems - by reading the posts - that most women are so keen on getting rid of the pred that they taper too fast and are in great pain and have to go back up. I donīt like to have a moon face or any of the other side effects, but I prefer that instead of having to raise the dose. I went down 6 kilograms (13 lbs) before I was diagnosed and for a year I kept that lower weight. Unfortunately I am almost back where I started before pmr but I feel I am close to getting off pred - within half a year or so.
I think it is better to take the "right" dose and feel well and accept that it takes a long time to get off pred. I also think that pred is mainly positive in the long run. OK there are side effects, but I accept that and take the time it needs.
Ragnar (male, 70 years old)
Ragnar - you bring up some interesting points and I do not have PR, but my male rheumatologist instructed me on how to taper off, just as I followed his directions to start and follow for five months when he prescribed it for my condition. Interestingly, the week before my new male primary had told me to taper off, and gave a completely different tapering off scenario than the rheumatologist. I didn't ask to be taken off, and my new primary was slightly upset at the rheumy for me being on it for five months and said to get off it asap. The rheumy took me down with a hard slam compared to what the primary had said how to taper off the week before. I never quite understood why I was given two completely different ways to taper off. I will never take Predisone again. And I don't quite see your point that its "most woman". Unfortunately, "most woman" are the ones who contract arthritic/autoimmune disorders, with males being the distinct minority. And as Gloria Steinem pointed out a long ways back: "studies are only done on male rats."Hi justsaynoemore!
No, you didnīt get my point. What I meant was that in order to get off prednisone as fast as possible in order to get off from side effects, they instead get a longer treatment period on prednisone as they get flare-ups. If you go too fast, it is going to give more pain too.
Ragnar
Well, there doesn't seem to be any "right" dose of prednisone, and I am amazed at the huge variety of initial doses and treatment plans people have described. It really is a case of trying (and failing, it seems) with different regimes until one is suited with the right dose. And tapering may or may not go smoothly, one can crash and relapse, even with very conservative and careful tapering (from what I have read). It's all a bit hit and miss if you ask me! Hi RDswede,