I know many of us have tapered or are tapering off of pred, and I'm wondering if anyone has any tips or hints on how to make it easier.
I started on 5 mg/day of pred about 6 weeks ago, just temporariliy while waiting to see if the Imuran would help (I think it is). I've tapered down to 2 mg/day, but I'm having trouble when I go down to 1.5 mg/day. The fatigue is the worst, but the swelling and stiffness are there too.
Complicating matters is all the work I am doing with hubby on remodeling our new condo and preparing to move. I know that I'm pushing myself and I do alright on the 2 mg, but with less I'm in trouble.
Anyone have any suggestions? Anything I can do/not do to make this easier?
Hi Suzanne, is there any reason why you can't stay on 2mg until after the move and unpacking in your new place? I don't think I'd try and taper, pack, remodel, move, and unpack at the same time. This is making it hard for your body to accept the taper. You're adding to the RA symptoms and trying to taper and it doesn't appear to be working for you. I know what you're going through because I've been trying to taper from 35mg of Pred. and got down to 7.5 mg. and I can't taper any further. In fact because of surgery and a flare I had to go to 15mg to function. Take it easy, try and taper more later on, and be good to your body. LindyIf you're still stiff and swollen without it, why are you coming off the pred? I mean, I understand why you want to not take it, but if it's keeping you in check, what's the hurry? Especially now when you have so much going on.I know of several people that have taken Pred for lupus and stayed on it for over twenty years. The amount taken was much higher than 5mg what damage is caused by such a lose dose as 5mg that stopping Pred is so important. I've been tapering from 10mg down...I'm on 4mg right now. I did overdo it this past weekend, so I'm pretty sore today, but my worst was when I was at about 8mg. (my Dr is having me go down 1mg a week) I've been on the Pred while we're waiting to see if the Plaquenil is going to work. Overall...I think I feel ok. I don't really know any tips though...but sounds like you are over doing it with everything you have going on. Maybe wait until you're settled to taper anymore?Maybe this just isn't the time to do it. I was the one who asked my rheumy for the pred while waiting for other meds to work. But now that I've been on the Imuran awhile and upped the does, how will I know if it's really working unless I get off the pred? I guess if I'm getting the swelling and stiffness again, then it isn't working as well as I thought.
But I think the fatigue is the worst thing, and I don't know if there's anything that might help with that.
My next rheumy appt was going to be Aug 9, but it was postponed to Aug 24. I think he wants to see my labs (which I usually do the Saturday before my appt) without the pred, but maybe I should just wait and stay on the 2 mg.