Pred Taper Completed

[Pete]

It’s been a week since I took my last prednisone tablet. Prior to beginning the taper, I had been holding at 5 mg/day for 2+ years.

I started tapering down on October 9, 2017, at the rate of 0.5 mg per month. Since pred tabs (especially 1 mg ones) are hard to cut, Dr Villa Forte suggested a series of alternating doses. The process proceeded uneventfully.

Here is the dosage schedule I followed:


10/9/17: Began alt 5/4 mg
10/16: 4/5
10/23: 5/4
10/30: 4/5
11/6: 5/3
11/13: 3/5
11/20: 5/3
11/27: 3/5
12/4: 5/2
12/11: 2/5
12/18: 5/2
12/25: 2/5
1/1:5/1
1/8: 1/5
1/15: 5/1
1/22: 1/5
1/29: 3/2
2/5: 2/3
2/12: 3/2
2/19: 2/3
2/26: 2
3/5: 2
3/12: 2
3/19: 2
3/26:2/1
4/2:1/2
4/9: 2/1
4/16: 1/2
4/23:1
5/21: 1/0
5/28: 0/1
6/4: 1/0
6/11: 0/1
6/18: ZERO, ZILCH, ZIP, NADA!!!

I continue to feel very well. I’m very grateful...

[drz]

Glad to hear it went OK for you and hope your remission also lasts a long time.

[Pete]

Thanks, drz!

Looking forward to some more good years.

[gilders]

That's great Pete!
I always try to reduce the pred to zero. It works wonders at high doses on my rheumatism, but the side effects are awful.

[NatriceRomeo]

I’m so happy for you! I have been trying to taper from 5 mg for the past several months. However, I ran out of 1 mg tablets-the Drs won’t contact the pharmacy for a refill. It’s been 2 weeks! So I’m back up to 5. I’m pretty disappointed. One day Pete, I’m going to be as successful as you were coming off of the prednisone.


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[Rose]

1 mg tabs of pred are not available in South Africa. When I was tapering I was told by my pharmacist to dissolve the 5 mg tab in 5ml of water. So when reducing to 4mgs would take 4ml of the water, reducing to 3mg
I would then take 3ml of the water. Worked for me though never did go below 2.5mgs as my doctor wanted me to stay on that dosage.

Rose

[NatriceRomeo]

That’s a great idea!


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[Pete]

I had my first labs done today since getting off pred. Everything was either stable or within the normal ranges. My creatinine is usually a little above normal, and it was again today (1.45). CRP was elevated (9.9) but just below the upper limit. I continue to feel very well.

[Debbie C]

That's great news Pete.. I hope you continue to stay well. You are still on mtx right ?

[Pete]

That's great news Pete.. I hope you continue to stay well. You are still on mtx right ?

I've been off mtx for about 4 years. I just get an annual dose of rtx now. Bactrim and rtx are the only wegs meds I'm taking at the moment.

[Pete]

Mini Pred Blast

I guess I found some poison ivy in one of my (several) excursions off the fairways and into the bushes. At any rate, I developed an itchy rash similar to poison ivy. It appeared mostly on my calves and ankles, but not where my socks covered my skin. Historically, I was very allergic to poison ivy. It would get into my blood stream and spread all over. This time, not so much.

Using hydrocortisone cream didn’t seem to be clearing it up. I decided to try a mini pred blast to see if that would get it cleared up. I took 10 mg on Thursday and Friday and 5 mg today. I’ll finish with another 5 mg tomorrow morning. I’ve noticed that the rash has pretty nearly dried up and stopped itching. I guess my self-prescribed treatment is working. :)

[RiverJoy]

So happy for you Pete!

[Dirty Don]

Have used pred blasts on various issues, and usually worked. Another hint: stay in the fairway!!! LOL

[Jaha]

Pete,
Congratulations, very good news. Keep up the good health!:hug3:

[Pete]

As of yesterday, I’ve been off daily pred for three years. Still feeling good!