Lupus & struggling w/prednisone drop from 6mg to 5.5 mg. get pleuritic chest pain, muscles pain/stiffness, brain fog (mini flare or withdrawal sx)?

One likely solution: Sorting out the difference between pain from a flare of lupus and prednisone withdrawal symptoms is not an uncommon dilemma for doctors. In this case because of the confusion that you are referring to, it is more likely to be a flare of lupus, possibly triggered by the withdrawal from prednisone. In either case the treatment is likely to be to increase the prednisone and taper more slowly.

Alternate: If you need to come off the prednisone check with your specialist because some stay on a low dose everday for life to decrease symptoms you may start with 6 then next day 5.5 then 6 and alternate for a couple of weeks before decreasing to 5.5 alternating with 5 SOmeimtes though it still small even going 6 then 5 3/4 is possible to slowly decrease