As I mentioned in a previous post I've just started to reduce my Prednisolone for the first time, as of 1st January. I'm going from 15mg to 12.5mg for a month and see how it goes, then hopefully down to 11mg for a month and then 10mg. At this point I go back to see the Consultant and see how my bloods are doing etc. As I've read about the problems lots of you have had reducing the medication, even by just 1mg or 2mg sometimes, I was wondering what side effects I could expect and at what point you've had to throw in the towel and go back up a mg or two. I'm fine at the moment but it is only the 4th so wouldn't expect to be feeling the effects yet. I'd really like to start reducing and have left myself a reasonably quiet few weeks to give it a chance but any advice would be really appreciated.
Lizzie Ellen
Dear Lizzie Ellen, Don't worry too much, I went from 20 mg to 15 mg in a day and really didn't notice greatly tho' I think you're very wise not to be too busy whilst taking a drop. The problems sometimes seem to come later when the reduction proportionately is bigger e.g. 5 mg. to 4 mg. is a 20% drop, 2 mg. to 1 mg. is halving the dosage. It's then that people often \"do the Ragnar thing\" (ask Mrs K) and reduce every 3rd or 4th day, just 1 mg a day or cut the pills in half if they are not coated. Sorry all that sounds a bit complicated. As for side effects, well in mycase it has been getting some aches and pains again and feeling pretty tired, nothing like before I was on the pred. tho'. The other thing to remember too is that some people seem to sail through PMR with no side effects from steroids at all, and the disease just burns itself out in a year!!!!But I guess they never need to use a site like this.One finds more and more ways of helping oneself too which for me at the moment is simply keeping warm.
Best of luck, Green granny
Hello Lizzie Ellen - I'd say well done for reducing from 15 to 12.5 and that if you're feeling ok after 4 days on the lowered dose then you have \"cracked it\"! You are very wise to have given yourself a quiet period for reducing, definitely to be recommended.
I note that you don't expect to have another consultation until you lower another couple of times, whereas it does seem to be generally recommended to have a monthly blood test just prior to each reduction. I was always given a blood test form at each consultation so that if I felt increased pain on reducing then I could just go off immediately for a blood test. I found this reassuring.
As Green Granny says, there do tend to be more recurring symptoms when reducing below 5mgs as opposed to the higher dose that you are on at present but we are now blessed with having Ragnar's regime to help us!
Hope your good progress continues.
MrsO
Thanks Green Granny and Mrs O for the reassuring comments. I've got an appointment with the Consultant for March but with the proviso that I can phone her and get an emergency appointment if necessary. She's given me blood test forms, so like you Mrs. O - should I suddenly get a return of the dreaded 'concrete overcoat' I can get my bloods done and she'll look at them straight away and phone me. When I saw her last time she said that about one in three of her patients manage to get off of Prednisolone in about a year. She's hopeful that I may be able to. I think I've struck very, very lucky with my Consultant. One of my New Year's resolutions was to get fit again and I was going to resume swimming this week. Already broken that one - the temperature hasn't risen above freezing for the last few days and my lovely warm house has suddenly become very attractive! :D
Thanks again for all the advice.
Lizzie Ellen