prednisone adjustment to control flare?

[Guest guest]

Hi everyone! It's been awhile since my last post but decided today

that I get more help from you all than my own rheumatoligist. You'd

be suprised how much I get out of reading the daily post logs

everynight....I need advice. (i know it is just advice, but i truly

believe that we know more about medication adjustment and our best

interest than our drs do sometimes...)

A few weeks ago I tapered down from 8 mg of prednisone to 7 mg of

prednisone. (just before that, I felt great). I flared for about a

week, toughed it out with ibruprofen, hot showers and waited until

my weekly humira shot. The next week felt better than the week

after, felt even better. Was pain free for a few days (thinking

that the taper worked and I worked through the initial hard part).

Now I am flareing everywhere and feel awful. I called in this

morning (it's been horrible for about a week now, so I know I need

to do something to get this under control). Rheumy suggested going

up to 15 mg of prednisone then down every 2 to 3 days......I am

alittle worried because it has taken me forever to even get down to

the 8mg I was just on. But how much is enough to get this flare

under control? I have in the past been able to manage my own

prednisone for the most part, but am so worried I am going to have

to start all over again....I thought about going up to 10 mg first

to see if that helps. I divide my prednisone up to 5 mg in the

morning and 2 mg in the evening (so I could do 5 more this pm and

see if that helps....)

I am on Humira weekly and well now, 7 mg of prednisone.

Anyone?

Thanks in advance for any input.

DeeDee