prednisone taper | Arthritis Information

This is my first time tapering off prednisone.

At first I noticed I was having more pain and I anticipated that it was going to get worse and worse as I tapered and that I was going to have a hard time or would not be able to get off of it.

But today for the first time my knees don't have that stiff gel like feel and I don't have pain.

Does your body keep adjusting?

It SHOULD.........lol

That being said, not everyone's does. You know you're on a good taper when your body DOES adjust.

Your body SHOULD recognize that you're coming off, and start making the natural equvilant of pred all on it's own. Doesn't always happen, but that's the goal anyway.

I hope your body keeps adjusting!!! :)

Thanks! ME TOO!Good Luck on weaning off the ole pred! Sounds like you might come off it pretty easy.

How long have you been on pred?

Thanks Joonie!

Not long- only since mid November 2007.

I was at 40 and as of today I am down to 18.5. I guess it's a slow go from here. I was dropping 5 MG a week but this week and next only 2.5 and then I have a doctor appt. and will get further instructions.

That is good, only since Nov '07. Then it really does sound like you might have an easy time tapering off. I hope you do. Do not feel to bad if you get down to 2mg or even 1mg and you feel like you do now, you will eventually get off.

I have been on pred for almost 4 years now, with a 2 month break, worst 2 months of my life... not really but was not a comfortable 2 months.

At my last RD appt, RD informed me that I was not able to taper off the pred yet since my body still needs it. She said once the Remicade & Imuran has time to kick in then she will see about me tapering off. For now I am stuck at 10mg.
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