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When to start tapering prednisone?

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Posted 6/8/2012 7:16 PM (GMT 0)
I've been on 40 mg prednisone daily for 11 days now (along with other meds). I'm definitely improving and having less pain and urgency, but my BMs are still unformed, still some blood, and still going 5+ times per day (usually a bunch in the morning and then again at night). Does it sound like I should stay at the 40 mg dose longer? I know you can start tapering while you still have symptoms, but how much improvement is enough to start reducing the dose?

I know these are questions best answered by my doctor... I'm having trouble getting in touch with her and am curious what the community thinks in the meantime...
Posted 6/8/2012 8:46 PM (GMT 0)
i remember my doctor wanted me to stay on 40 mg for 2 months but i tapered after 3.5 weeks at 40 mg. it was just way too hard for me to stay on.

if it is helping you, maybe you should let it work more before you taper. it never helped me at all so that's why i felt okay tapering.
Posted 6/8/2012 8:55 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Joanna, definitely helpful. I was nervous about staying at 40 mg because originally my doctor said she only wanted me to be at 40 for one week. If other doctors are prescribing 40 for two months then I guess it is fine to stay on longer... the side effects are not THAT bad for me yet
Posted 6/8/2012 9:16 PM (GMT 0)
I think I answered your question in the other thread, but just to reiterate, I would stay on 40 for at least 3 weeks. I got frustrated because I was under the impression it would start working in a few days, but so glad I saw it through. If it's still not working talk to your dr. about getting on Imuran or 6mp because from what I hear, you don't want to be on a high dose of pred for a long time. Luckily, I didn't have to go that route, but I had all the testing done so I can get on it at any time if I start flaring again.
Posted 6/9/2012 1:22 AM (GMT 0)
I was on 40mg for 8 weeks before my symptoms improved enough for me to start tapering. The decision to taper is an individual one and one you should make with your GI. Please use this forum as a guideline or a starting point of discussion with you GI but I don't recommend following someone else's regiment. Your GI may have another plan for you and you need to discuss the facts with him/her. If you are having difficulty getting in touch with him/her it may be time to find a new doc.

I remember struggling with the same questions you are having. It is terrible to be flaring. All you can think about is getting better and resuming your life. Hang in there and talk to your doc. You may even want to break up the dose and take 20mg in the AM and 20mg at night to stabalize things.

Good luck and hang in there!
Posted 6/9/2012 2:51 AM (GMT 0)
My first course of pred, I tapered after 5 days on 40mg. I went to 30mg. My symptoms were almost 100% wiped out after a day or two on predinsone. Since you're still having symptoms, I'd give it a little longer. Did your GI give you a taper schedule? Mine did but in the end, I had to go with how I felt because whenever I followed the schedule, I ended up having a relapse. I have to say, I do agree with kdragon to some extent, if it's not helping, it's better to make a plan sooner than later. Things rarely get easier with tapering. I was only able to taper off with 6mp. I am not saying you should rush to start something but get the tests run to see what you can  metabolize just in case. This way if you've been on pred for a while and you want off, you're that much closer to being ablet o make an informed decision.
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