Input needed on Pred Taper | Arthritis Information

My Rheumy has told me to go from 10 mgs daily to 7.5 mgs for 2 months, then down to 5 mgs for another 2 months. I realise this is a pretty low dose anyway, but still wonder if a 2.5 drop has ever been too much for some of you at this level dosage. I read that many of you here (and others elsewhere) drop by 1mg every couple of weeks to hopefully ensure a safe taper.

I also realise that results can be different for everyone too! Therefore more confusion for me!

I am delighted to be dropping my doses, but anxious about my symptoms returning.

Best of both worlds sounds good to me about now.

Sorry to be a scaredy cat here. A neurotic one at that! lolol

Cheers....Lyn

Most people don't have a problem with drops over 1 mg until they hit 5mg. At 5mg, some even go down by 1/2 mg steps every few weeks or a month. As with any medication taper, slower is usually better and it's OK to extend the time period at a certain dosage, but try to never go back up in dosage. Good luck. the initial drop from 10 mg to 7.5 was about as uneventful as they come for me. It was after that, my rheumy warned me, that would become very difficult.My RD had me start limiting my drops to 1 mg every 2- 4 weeks when I hit 10. It feels like forever and now I have been stuck at 4 for 5 weeks now...he always said if you feel your level of pain is more than you want don't drop til your ready. He did say the lower the dose you are on the more impact the 1 mg drop has.

I have to admit I have not felt GREAT since 12.5. At 4 I am disappointed in how I am feeling. I'm ok if I don't use my wrists, hands but they hurt when I do. My ankles and feet get aggravated in the smallest heels and after I do my walk. My knees and hips ache if I have been inactive for a period of time and then stand up and try and walk.

Hope you have better success.

Hi Lyndzee, I started dropping 1 mg. at my 15mg dose. 1 mg. every 2-4 weeks. It was a really slow taper and took me forever but it worked well. When I got to 10mg. I tapered 1/2 mg weekly. I'm on 5.5 mg. forever due to my adrenals shutting down from longterm steroid use but I can deal with that. Just take it slow. LindySorry I can't answer 'cuz I don't take pred. but I hope it goes smoothly for you and wanted to send good wishes your way.

take care

my rheumy doesnt have me drop more than 1mg at a time until I hit 5, then it goes much more slowly. I take 5 one day, 4 1/2 the next and alternate for a week then take 4mg for a week, then alternate 4 and 31/2 for the next week, and so on...Thanks everyone, for your replies. It seems that trouble getting below 5mg has been something most of you agree on so I will watch that.

Well I guess I will start the drop as he asked and see what happens. I am just afraid that I will end up back where I was a few months ago as the last few days have had my wrists and knees playing up. If I have problems I think I will go your way Owie, just drop more slowly. Yeah!!

Cheers.....Lyn