It's been quite a few weeks since I posted last. I just started 11mg two days ago. Since my last post, I have seen my Rheumatologist and my Nephrologist. I informed my Rheumy about what has taken place since I last saw him a few months ago and how I was currently in the process of weaning off my steroids. He thought I was doing things properly by weaning off every 2 weeks but also suggested weaning off every 3 weeks instead if I start to feel increased effects of the weaning off process. I took his advice and decided to wean off every 3 weeks. Of course, I informed my Nephrologist also that this is what I was doing. He was on board with it as well.

The good news from both appointments was that the cocktail mix of Cellcept and Prednisone has worked really well for me and my kidneys are functioning at a normal level!! My serum creatinine levels were at 0.84 mg/dl. (The normal range for women for this is 0.5 to 1.0 mg/dl. For men, it is 0.7 mg/dl to 1.2 mg/dl.) 

As of today, after weaning down to 11mg of Prednisone, my joints have only been slightly achy and I'm just a little bit tired. This is nothing like how I was feeling when I would stay at a certain dose for only a week or two. I'm still getting brain fog though. Sometimes I think it could also be caused by the nice weather too...haha! 

My little puppy (though not that little anymore...from 3 lbs at 7 weeks old to 10.5 lbs at 5 months old) has been a lot easier to take care of.  



She has gotten the hang of potty training and is barking at the door to let us know when she needs to go out. During the times she has too much energy for me, I take her to doggy daycare while I am at work to play with other dogs/puppies. Because of the cost, I only am able to do once every couple of weeks though but every little thing helps! 

I can't even express how happy I am that the medications have worked for me. I haven't felt this "normal" in such a long time.