Hello, I have been using the DSNS technique and have reduced from 15 mg to 14 mg with no pain or stiffness increas. HOWEVER, now I am the second week of the DSNS taper down from 14 mg. to 13 mg. and I now have an increase in overall aches and stiffness.
I really hate to increase back to 14 mg (where I felt less pain and stiffness) but think maybe I should. How long should I wait jat 13 mg just in case my body is trying to get used to the 13 mg dose and the pain/stiffness will go away? I am sure that this advice has been given already, but would appreciate an update. I have had increased pain/stiffness for about one week now.
I am anxious to taper down on the prednisone because of the side effects it gives me - nausea, loss of appetite, memory loss, thrush. If I do go back up to 14 mg, how long should I stay on that amount before I start the DSNS taper to 13 mg again?
I am frustrated that the DSNS taper may be too fast for me! I feel discouraged since I have been on 15 mg of prednisone for about 6 monts without a succesful taper any lower than 14 mg. Any advice is appreciated.
Hi Padada
Im not really qualified to answer, but my experience is this.
I have started to reduce from 10 to 9mg, i did the DSNS method i was fine until 2 weeks before going on holiday and like you started to experience niggles, But on the advice from ladies on this forum stayed at nine till after my hols.
When i came home i still kept to 9mg for 2 weeks and now i am trying to reduce to 8.5 so far so good, and my doctor is pleased with the way i am doing the reduction, SO all i can say is keep going because we do experience withdrawls syptoms when reducing. Good luck. Mags
Hi Padada,
This tapering thing is quite an art and very different for everyone I think.
I am currently decreasing from 9mg to 8mg using the DSNS method but because I am sensitive to decreases I am slowing it down even a bit more and will decrease in .5mg next round.
My body usually lets me know it's not thrilled with the lower dose with a little more pain and fatigue. If it starts to get better over 2 or 3 days I know it's withdrawl. If it starts to get worse over that time period it is usually a flare and I go back to where I was for a couple of weeks.
We all get discouraged sometimes with PMR. It is a lesson in extreme patience and acceptance that we have to the way we do things. I have a friend that deals with terrible pain and has severe colitis. When I feel bad I just think of her and it makes me realize how lucky I really am.
I hope you find the dose that will work for your soon and will be feeling better.
Hugs, Diana
Go back to 14mg where you were comfortable wait one week buy a pill cutter and drop by 0.5mg instead of the 1mg.
There is also another reduction plan and this might suit you better.
Visit this link http://www.patient.co.uk/forums/discuss/pmr-gca-website-addresses-and-resources-35316 then once there visit North East and email for second reduction plan, Tortoise and Hare.
Thanks for the answers to my inquiry Margaret and MrsMac. Yes, my body is giving me niggles. I will wait another day or so and then if the 'niggles' don't cease, I will go back to 14 mg. and stay there for a few weeks - that is what is believe is the way some of you have handled the same situation.
By the way, I have been meaning to ask this question for quite awhile and I will do it now before I forget again. How much extra prednisone does a person need to take if they are going into a high stress situation such as a tooth extraction for example? Would it be 1 or 2 mg extra that day? Or would it be more like a 5 mg increase before the proceedure? Just a ball park figure would be appreciated to give some idea of one time increase to cover a stressful situation.
Hi Padada,
Here again everyone is different. I have had dental work done (a cap and a large filling) as well as arthoscoptic surgery that we required me to hobble around on crutches for a few weeks and I didn't have to increase. I was at 5mg at the time.
Others will be along to give their advice.
Hope your stressful situation is over and done with soon.
Diana
Talk to your Dentist as he will know what he wants you to do.
I had major extraction when on a high dose and all they wanted to know was 'how many'. they watched me like a hawk with a blood pressure monitor and it was all OK. I did not have to take any extra at all.
However, if you are on AA then you must tell you Dentist, like now.
Lodger, yes, thank you for the further clarification of what to do if this truly is a flare. I will look up the Tortoise and Hare reduction plan too. Truly, this is such a trial and error disease. Thank goodness you and others have gone before some of us and are willing to share what you have learned.
Not only willing to share, some of us started three charities in the UK, determined to encourage research into cause and cure and also run support groups.
Hi Padada, I am getting teeth implants and for the first stage my dentish asked me to double my dose from 15mg to 30mg the day before, the day of the start of implant work, also the next day. He also put me on a course of amoxicillin. You should check with your dentist. My dental work was very in depth, drilling into the bone. Anyway check to be sure. Regards Pat
ugh. no advice, just hugs and support. hope you're able to crack that 14 mg barrier and stay below it permanently@