Prednisone taper decrease dose every other day?

Hi,
I have been on prednisone for 3 years. Different amounts at different times.
I am finally tapering off forever.
My rheumatologist is the best that I have ever had. I have tried many times and could never handle getting completely off of it.
My rheumatologist told me to do this while tapering off of 5 milligrams.
I took a 5 one day and 4 the next for 2 weeks. Then 4 for 2 weeks, then 4 one day and 3 the next for 2 weeks, then 3 for 2 weeks ( which is where I am at now. Then one day and 2 the next day for two weeks, then 2 for two weeks , then 2 one day and 1 the next for two weeks, then 1 for two weeks and I should be done.
So far so good. I have never been able to go below 5 it was horrible, I was extremely fatigued, horrific joint pain. But, this seems to be working so far. It is slow I know, however it is working.
I hope that this helps someone.

Hi. As my name indicates, I am on prednisone endlessly. I am frequently changing doses tapering and then going way up. You raised some good questions.

First, flipping daily doses means he thinks you are going too quickly for your body to adjust. So he is slowing down the taper with this back and forth.

Second. The body naturally makes about 8 to 9 mg of cortisol naturally. This is almost identical to prednisone. When your dose is over that amount the adrenals stop producing because the prednisone takes its place. When you start dipping into that realm your body kind of wakes up again and it takes time for it to adjust back to the body producing. Since the prednisone is providing the majority of what you need, this is very slow.my doc would reduce at this point, one mg per month giving the body time.

Third, whatever pain you are feeling was there the whole time. Prednisone is excellent at masking pain. As you reduce you start to feel it. Especially if you have been on it for a few months or longer. When I reduce to 17.5mg I start hurting far more than higher doses. That means the prednisone does not produce pain. The reason you were taking it is now revealed. The inflammation that the prednisone was reducing starts returning if healing is not complete so it hurts.

Fourth. Not sure what PMR means but, the body is attacking itself and prednisone is a way to keep it in check while other meds are investigated and give you a break, no matter what other effects you may have had.

Fifth. If you end up on a very tiny dose because your body isn't accepting the taper, don't fret. Your doc will work this out with you. I think your doc is fine. Be sure when you see your Rhuemy you take along questions and ask until you are done. Mine can spend up to an hour with me. Sure it throws off her schedule. But she gets it. Most docs do. At least good ones do.

Does that help? Ask away. I have spent periods at 80mg per day so I have a pretty good idea what this drug is about this past seven years. Hang in there. Stay in touch with the doc. Any real changes should be reported so you don't suffer needlessly. I wish you a smooth transition. Hope you have a good switch to what will help you.