Is anyone on long term low dose steroid tabs 5mg per day or less?

[dimsum123]

I am currently on a 30mg per day dose of Prednisolone for a severe eczema flare up. I will be reducing the dose each week by 5mg and eventually stop altogether.

My consultant mentioned perhaps staying on a low dose possibly 5mg every other day for the long term.

I was wondering if anyone is on a long term low dose and how you are finding it both in terms of side effects like weight gain and control of your symptoms.

Many thanks.

I'm on 10mg a day for rheumatoid arthritis, hoping to drop down a bit further but things flare up every time I try so haven't succeeded yet. I haven't noticed weight gain though my weight loss post-baby (DS is 10 months) does seem to have stopped. I am pretty much back at my pre-pregnancy weight though - just a couple of pounds heavier - so perhaps that's unrelated to the steroids. When I stay on 10mg I have pretty good control of my symptoms - not perfect but definitely a big improvement. I really notice any drop in dose though.

I am still breastfeeding a tiny bit (every few days) which is why I'm on the steroids. I expect to come off them and start on a disease-modifying drug after Christmas when I've totally stopped.

Hi thanks for your reply. I think 10mg is the best dose to effectively control symptons but avoid most side effects.

How long have you been on the 10mg dose?

Thankyou!

It's been a few months - three or four I think. Though actually I'm having a bit of a flare at the moment which is breaking through the steroids. I can't really take a higher dose as when I tried 15mg initially my mood went a bit haywire.

Have you noticed any side effects?

Hi, i have been extremely thirsty which i know is a side effect causing water retention. But apart from that I feel great! Have reduced down to 25mg. Hopefully my symptoms won't flare up when i get down to around 10mg which apparently is the dose when symptoms can flare again.

Hope your flare up settles down.