prednisone question

It works differently for different people. How long ago did you drop to 10 and what was the last over-10 dosage?

You can always try going to 5 mg for a few days and if you feel too bad increase it back to 7.5 -- I am a little surprised but maybe the Dr was too lazy to write a script for the 1 mg tablets?

You think those 5 mg tablets are little & hard to keep track of? The 1's are worse!

Cheers,

Hey Amy, congrats on the taper!! That is a huge accomplishment!

Tapering below 10mg requires a gentle touch so to speak. Dropping the dose by 1mg every week is the standard that I've been told by my rheumy. Think of it in percentages rather than mgs. To drop from 10 to 5 is a 50% decrease. Would you drop from 40 to 20 in one go? No way, right!

You'll be very surprised how different you feel by dropping just 1mg at a time at these low doses.

YAY!!!

When I tappered down from 10 mg to 3 mg, the rhumty tappered it down 1 mg by mg.  I tapered by each mg every month, so far it works pretty good.  He is hoping to taper it off me and only rely on Cellcept. 

Thank you everyone. I decided to do 7.5 for 2 weeks and then see how I do at 5 mg. I have 2 months till my next apt and figure as long as I get down to 5mg before my next apt, things will be ok.

Does coming down on prednisone make you emotional? I have heard that being on it can make you cranky or have mood changes. I have not experieced that on the doses I have been on BUT yesterday and today I have been an emotional butterball. One moment I am happy and then the next moment I am crying uncontrollably for no apparent reason. Could this be from the taper? My joints are a little more sensative but only slightly swollen. other than that and the mood swings I feel fine!

Any ideas of things I might be able to do to help counteract this?

Since prednisone affects our blood sugar maybe coming down is making your blood sugar fluctuate leading to mood swings? I dunno, that's all I can think of. If it's that, eat small protein-based meals/snacks more often.

So far when I go below 4mg I just turn into a washcloth...no energy, back in bed/sofa mode. With 4 I feel like a normal person...such a small change, but a big effect.

Cheers,

Thanks, I wanted to point out that it does affect your blood sugar. I checked mine before I went to the doctor and it was 270 and I'm not diabetic. When I got home it was 97. I knew something happened because my energy level hit the floor went I got out of the car. I had to get a wheelchair to go into the doctors office. I stayed that way for the rest of the day. I know the 92 degree weather contributed as well.

Thanks aimsgirl!

Hi! All,

I vote slow is the way to go, my tabs are 5mgs, and scored to half them, (not easy but you can do it), and my rheumy said every other day is a good method to tapering. And I am so grateful for the good advice that is shared here,

hugs, suetoo

If you feel more comfortable going to 7.5, do that for the peace of mind. Last time I tapered, I went to 7.5 from 10 and it went well. This time, I'm going to go right to 5 but I've been on pred for less time. You could also try going down to 5 and if symptoms worsen, just go back up. :)