Re: Coming off of Prednisone

[Guest guest]

I have recently decreased my prednisone from 2 mg to 1 mg a day. I have been on some dose for about 3 years and am attempting to finally break free. I do have more pain than usual, but I'm hoping that will gradually decrease if I hang in there. But I am so wiped out! Can't tell if it's the RA becoming more active or just part of coming off the prednisone. Any ideas? gloria

[Guest guest]

Gloria,

You've gotten farther with your prednisone taper then I have! I hope

you'll be able to get all of the way off. I made it down (gradually)

from 10 to 5, but ended up going back up to 6 mg after 2 months of a

lot of pain at 5 mg. My body just wasn't happy at that level. One

thing my rheumy mentioned was that each time you drop by 1 mg, it's a

larger percentage of the total. So going from 2 mg to 1 is

equivalent of going from 10 mg to 5. You may need to taper more

slowly - go down to 1 1/2 for a bit before dropping to 1 if you

continue to have trouble.

Good luck! I hope you make it.

Beth

> I have recently decreased my prednisone from 2 mg to 1 mg a day. I

have been

> on some dose for about 3 years and am attempting to finally break

free. I do

> have more pain than usual, but I'm hoping that will gradually

decrease if I

> hang in there. But I am so wiped out! Can't tell if it's the RA

becoming more

> active or just part of coming off the prednisone. Any ideas? gloria

[Guest guest]

Gloria,

I well remember coming down off prednisone and lowering the dosage. I'm sure I went at it too fast but the first day lowering was nothing...the second day I could tell. Then the third day would be tough. My description is that you must hurt a bit coming down. It will level off after a few days as I recall. I think my doc recommended decreasing 1 mg. every 2 weeks. Hang in there and I am pulling for you!!!

Kay

----- Original Message -----

From: gloriarex@...

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Sent: Monday, February 16, 2004 8:25 PM

Subject: Re: Coming off of Prednisone

I have recently decreased my prednisone from 2 mg to 1 mg a day. I have been on some dose for about 3 years and am attempting to finally break free. I do have more pain than usual, but I'm hoping that will gradually decrease if I hang in there. But I am so wiped out! Can't tell if it's the RA becoming more active or just part of coming off the prednisone. Any ideas? gloria

[Guest guest]

Gloria,

There is a good plan for reducing prednisone on this website - www.rheumatic.org. Just go to that site and click on "support group" and scroll to bottom for article on lowering prednisone. It's a good method.

Kay

----- Original Message -----

From: gloriarex@...

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Sent: Monday, February 16, 2004 8:25 PM

Subject: Re: Coming off of Prednisone

I have recently decreased my prednisone from 2 mg to 1 mg a day. I have been on some dose for about 3 years and am attempting to finally break free. I do have more pain than usual, but I'm hoping that will gradually decrease if I hang in there. But I am so wiped out! Can't tell if it's the RA becoming more active or just part of coming off the prednisone. Any ideas? gloria

[Guest guest]

Kay:

Thanks for the link. It's quite a site and the prednisone taper is quite involved! But something good to have.

gloria

[Guest guest]

Kay, thanks for this address. icoppied the text and will begin itas soon as my Dr allows me to. very interesting site.love.. grany lee

----- Original Message -----

From: Kay Simpson

Gloria,

There is a good plan for reducing prednisone on this website - www.rheumatic.org. Just go to that site and click on "support group" and scroll to bottom for article on lowering prednisone. It's a good method.

Kay .