Everyone is different. I think there are many different factors that play into ones experience with tapering. Not everyone can get off but I have my fingers crossed you will be able to do just that.

Hang in there.

Tapering usually takes a long time, and sometimes there are set-backs along the way. For me, I used a supplement called Drenamin (both before and after getting off prednisone). Also, my doctor had to transition me over to hydrocortisone, which she said is bio-identical to the cortisol produced by our adrenal glands. She also said that it has a shorter half-life, which means that it leaves the body more quickly than prednisone. As Lexis mentioned, not everyone is able to get off prednisone. Hopefully you will be one of them. Best wishes to you.

Hi Ricky. You have been on a low dose for not very long, you should have no problems. Most people on this forum have been taking huge doses for a long time so its hard to taper. Good luck. Autumm

Hi Ricky, If you read the many old posts on this forum about tapering Prednisone then you will learn a lot of things. I stay hydrated with water and/or Gatoraid which helps. I can only taper down to 5mg of Prednisone. I have active disease and I will flare if I go below 5mg. I am one of those who will always need to take Prednisone.

Good luck and best wishes with your taper off.

A few weeks ago, I started thinking that we had finally found the right combinations of meds as I was feeling close to normal for several days. However, I have been on a slow taper of 1mgof prednisone every 2 weeks which has taken me to 7 mg from a normal dose of 10 mg. About 4 days ago, I started to feel ill again. I suspected it was from the taper but I kept going thinking I would feel better. Today, I went back to 8mg which will hopefully put me back on track. If not, I will up the pred again. Once I feel better, I will start the taper again.

Hi McCourtjs . I only ever tapered by 1mg a month when I got to 10mgd. Slow and easy dies it, better to take longer than to flare. You will get there in your own time. Best wishes. Autumm

Hi Ricky23 - I am still tapering - now successfully from 9mg the other other month to 8mg and now 7mg - it is a very slow process and I have failed a few times before. I think as I am on MTX now, it is kicking in and hopefully taking over from the steroids. I hope its not wishful thinking but I try to stay positive. I put on a lot of weight which is slowly coming off now - I did lose some hair initially but my Rheumy was insistent it was the DM and not the steroids. By the way - my hair has now come back baby soft and curly - before it was straight and slightly wavy - the joys of DM!!!!

Ricky23, I would taper down by a half milligram every two weeks instead of 1mg every two weeks. For example, after taking 8mg of Prednisone for two weeks, then I would cut the 1mg pill in half. I would take 7.5 mg of Prednisone for two weeks then go to 7mg of Prednisone for two weeks, then 6.5 for two weeks, etc... This option worked great for me. You could discuss the half milligram taper with your doctor to see if that would be an option for you. I found the half milligram taper to be much more comfortable too. Everyone here has tried different methods to find what works well for them. Be sure to read through the posts and talk to your doctor on what is appropriate for you.

I taper down by half milligrams. Like everyone here, I will go much longer than two weeks at a particular dosage if I feel bad. I wait until I am stable before tapering lower. I have gone for several months at a particular dosage too.

I have a beast that likes to come out of the cage if I taper too low. I have an overlapping Scleroderma with my DM. I do think my organ involvement (liver, heart, kidney) tends to go off with elevated enzymes and signaling a muscle flare in the arms & legs when I try to go below 5mg of Prednisone. I have come to know my body. At the same time, my flares can also come without any warning too.

Tapering is NOT a race. The whole idea of our medications is to feel well on a daily basis. The goal is feeling well and functioning as well as possible.

Best wishes for a successful taper. Keep us posted.

Hi Amber. Great news on the taper and the MTX kicking in. The weight goes eventually. I am walking mine off, its a slow process but I have time and I know its about lifestyle changes. Hope you like the new hair, life with this thing is full of surprises. Its great to hear you 'getting there' . Best wishes. Autumm