Two week with rapid taper sounds heavenly for a flare....as opposed to entrapment for the last 5 plus months I've been on. If I knew better I think I'd have toughed it out and did what you are suggesting. A two week taper isn't bad compared to half a year plus like me and others have been battling.. but realize if the flare isn't under control, going off pred will put you right back where you started. Two weeks is also long enough to have withdrawal side effects, moodiness fatigue cramps etc. while you're weaning down.
It can help, and if the flare subsides while on it, then it served it's purpose well getting you through it. But if the flare doesn't subside, the pred will cause issues in withdrawal and symptoms returning. Does that make sense?

So you have to ask yourself, are you the type to cowboy up and tough out the flare, or are you one wanting immediate relief at the potential cost of withdrawals and flare returning at the end...I was the second. I wanted immediate relief after my train hit me with this disease late last year, so I could maintain my daily life at optimal speed, so I took whatever the docs gave to keep me going. I can't be down with a flare, no time for that! So I have entrapped myself with prednisone. My goal come doc visit next week, begin weaning immediately. And I have reached a point I'm willing to suffer the withdrawals to be pred free. I feel like I've joined a 12 step or something lol! I think a two weeker is safe and effective in the short term, and I'd say go for it being aware of potential withdrawals albeit not terrible I think for only two weeks, and the flare returning....Long term not so much a fan nor advocate of. I feel so bad for my poor adrenals right now!

My suggestion is to try a Medrol Dose Pack. It's effectively a short-term, relatively high dose of steroid with a built-in taper schedule. Works very well for me during intense flares, you'll be done with the dosing in about six days, and most people respond within 24-48 hours.

Trina gave you some good advice.
I usually go 3 week dose, tapering each week. Never had a problem.
On it now longer because I'm starting Orencia. I know this time I'll have some issues. Yet short term, even 6 wks with the 15, 10 & 5mg I've done fine. Moody & some weight but nothing major. It was worth keeping the pain down & my life going.
Good luck, Sammy

I appreciate the advice. Good to know I can give hubby a warning that I may be less pleasant than usual in 2 weeks!! I'm kicking myself for starting it as I probably could have roughed this out (my first time taking this, but was a rough night and I want to be pain free for the trip ). Called my doc and the nurse said I need to stay on but now, so guess I'm signed up!

I had a bad flare around Christmastime and was given two weeks worth of prednisone meds with a taper system built in.

It worked awesome for me and was the best Christmas I have had in almost ten years.

Hope the prednisone works, but I think I would have asked for pain medication to have on board in case the Prednisone gives you a side effect that will mess up your trip. Tough to start a new med when traveling. I certainly hope it works for you without any ill effects and do enjoy your trip.

Achy, you might not even need to go that high with prednisone. The max I've ever taken was 10mg. And that was during a super flare where every joint except hips doubled in size and I was bedridden.

For a normal flare 3-4 mg is enough for me and I'm off it within a week.

Your body produces around 5 mg naturally. The literature basically all agrees that if you stay below that mark you don't shut down your natural production and suffer the withdrawal. Also if you use lower doses for less than two weeks you're also less likely to get withdrawal.

Good luck! Enjoy the ski trip!

Thanks all. I ended up taking 30mg on day one (when I posted) but didn't take anymore. I think that was the right call - still have lots of morning stiffness in my hands (eg my hubby had to do up my ski boots!) but otherwise I felt ok. Lots of Advil! I also just bumped up to my original MTX dose so hope that kicks in and compensates for no more Enbrel. And a great ski trip - I felt like cheering when I hit the mountain - screw off RA!

Achy,

I have used Prednisone twice in the last 6 months for flares. It seems to take the edge off for the first few days, then as the dose decreases, the pain level goes back up.

I felt great for about 3-4 days, so I guess it was worth it, but it definitely didn't "stop" my flare or prevent another from happening.

Prednisone is not good long term and even the short term side effects are not fun but it can take away so much inflammation and pain!