Tapering off Prednisone............how does it feel?

[Guest guest]

Hello Everyone,

It's been a while since I've written. I hope all of you are

doing well and have joy in your life. I was busy caring for my dog

and cat. I found another cancerous lump on my beloved dog, Abbey,

who just had a leg amputated in November. After waiting a hellish

week after her excision and biopsy, I got GREAT news that it was a

Grade 1 which means that there is no need for follow up treatment.

The scariest thing is that Mast Cell Tumors in dogs can come back.

The anxiety is excruciating when I think about it. I have some good

diversions, so I am OK for now. I am also nursing my cat who has

early stage renal failure. I have been so stressed out from this

unbelievable life I am living. It has been one thing

after the other for a year since RA kicked in big time!!!!

HERE'S MY QUESTION: I am continuing to slowly taper my

prednisone, from 20mg to 5mg. I started the 20 mg in October. Since I

have become more active, my back, hips and legs really hurt. This is

not where I have had RA pain before. I am using muscles I haven't

used in a very long time. How much of the pain can I attribute to the

prednisone tapering process? Is the pain worse because I am on this

lower dose? I am aiming for 2.5mg yet my rheumy said that I will need

to decide what works best. He also said that he would like to

increase the methotrexate once we see where the prednisone tapering

takes me. Please let me hear about your experiences with this

process.

Thank you so much, as always. Blessings, Maxine