That seems like a strange thing for a rheumy to say. No way I could do it without my other meds (MTX, mobic, humira, norco, folic). On prednisone alone, I would be miserable and wouldn't be able to get out of bed - especially if it was only 10mg. I would fire that rheumy asap. You deserve better treatment.

Yes that's my understanding too. I'm tapering down from 60mg of prednisone and am currently at 20mg daily and I am experiencing more swelling and pain as well and my ears and jaw are bothering me more and more. But I got the same response from my primary doctor that on prednisone and my other meds I shouldn't be experiencing any flares. But I'll talk with my rhemy more about it next week. Keep me posted I'm very curious about this as well.

Gentle hugs
Avis

I asked my doctor this for someone, similar situation....and the answer was that the body is reacting to the lack of prednisone and hasn't kicked in it own cortisol.
So, either you go back up and taper slower or you suffer til your body starts functioning again.
Someone without RA would experience issues too, like a relapse in asthma.
I hope you aren't about to have to decrease again for a few weeks.

How are your lungs? I'm sorry you can't catch a break on this. Prayers for you to withstand the pain and come out from under it.

Hi I haven't been around for awhile so I don't know your story but when I was first diagnosed I was given prednisone to get started. It didn't work by itself so other meds were added. Once other meds were started and given time to work I was weaned off of the prednisone.

Now the prednisone is held in reserve for flares. I don't understand why you are not taking other RA meds or why your doc is having you titrate down on your dosage of prednisone.

If you are tapering down on prednisone and you experience more and or stronger symptoms than your body isn't ready for you to go down to the lower dose. There's no way my rheumy would ever ask me to go completely without RA meds - if he did my GP would recommend another rheumy.

I hope you figure it out soon, good luck and hugs jilly

I agree with the other responses. Why are you not on another RA med? My rheumy would not take me off prednisone without other meds. I am on Humeria, started in April. 2 days after the first shot almost all inflammation and pain went away. I was still on 15mgs of prednisone. since It seemed like humeria was working my Dr tapered me down slowly. I am on 5mgs now but i have lots of pain and swelling. Its taken 4 mths just to drop 10mgs. I go to my Dr on Monday so will see what he will do next. I really think you need to ask your rheumy why no other RA meds. That just doesn't seem right. I hope you get relief soon.

I can't add any new advice, seems like you should go up for a coupole weeks and see if that helps, then taper some more.
Are you not able to take anything else, with the lung problems?

Mostly though, I wanted to let you know that I am so sorry to hear of this episode, and hope it can be quickly helped.
I'll keep you in my prayers!

I see you are on plaquenil but not sure exactly what this drug is. Am surprised you arent on methotrexate but again dont know if this has already been tried. Prednisone on its own isnt conventional in this day and age.
Sorry you are suffering. Dont know if you try supplements and diet - can be a help. Has the weather been bad? That always affects me no matter how well the drugs have been working!!

I see you are on plaquenil but not sure exactly what this drug is. Am surprised you arent on methotrexate but again dont know if this has already been tried. Prednisone on its own isnt conventional in this day and age.
Sorry you are suffering. Dont know if you try supplements and diet - can be a help. Has the weather been bad? That always affects me no matter how well the drugs have been working!!

I see you are on plaquenil but not sure exactly what this drug is. Am surprised you arent on methotrexate but again dont know if this has already been tried. Prednisone on its own isnt conventional in this day and age.
Sorry you are suffering. Dont know if you try supplements and diet - can be a help. Has the weather been bad? That always affects me no matter how well the drugs have been working!!

I see you are on plaquenil but not sure exactly what this drug is. Am surprised you arent on methotrexate but again dont know if this has already been tried. Prednisone on its own isnt conventional in this day and age.
Sorry you are suffering. Dont know if you try supplements and diet - can be a help. Has the weather been bad? That always affects me no matter how well the drugs have been working!!

I see you are on plaquenil but not sure exactly what this drug is. Am surprised you arent on methotrexate but again dont know if this has already been tried. Prednisone on its own isnt conventional in this day and age.
Sorry you are suffering. Dont know if you try supplements and diet - can be a help. Has the weather been bad? That always affects me no matter how well the drugs have been working!!

Thank you everybody ! Im feeling alittle better today and I go see Rheumy wednesday to be put on Imuran and praying that works and kicks in fast..... I started out on mtx and had to stop taking it, I have interstitual lung disease and my pulmonoligist wanted to get rid of the pneumonia before starting another med. I was on plaquenel and had been since diagnosis(almost 2 yrs ago) but after seeing the eye dr, I had to quit taking that because of build up behind my eyes,due to the plaquenel. its been a heck of a ride...but my lungs are clear and that was a big prayer answered. the Rheumy I have is new and I too am questioning if I need to start looking for a new one already. Thanks for all your help and prayers !! Hugs Tina

I'd echo; others about weaning off more slowly. When I weaned off, I would take a dose ,, like 10 mg, for two weeks, followed by two weeks of alternating doses of 10 and 7.5 mg, switching back and forth every day, for another two weeks, and so on. Stayed at 2.5 mg for a couple of months, finally doing 2.5 every third day for a month. Weaning off too quickly can cause flu like symptoms and make you feel like crap.

Like Jilly said, your body has to resume making cortisol itself.