Prednisone taper - MrsB, et al

So I saw my Rheumatologist today and it was the first time since our online taper fight. The online taper fight resulted in the two of us agreeing to go down 1 mg. every month until I hit 7.5. I still thought that was too fast but Cranky Nurse was in the middle and told me that I was not a compliant patient. They were not going to budge.

So my first script at the pharmacy was 9 mg's, all in 1 mg. pills. I thought, seriously? I have to count these out everyday? Whatever, I did it. The second script was for 7.5.....all 5 mg. pills. I was floored and went back to 10 mg's knowing I'd see her soon.

I brought it up today and told her what happened. She said that should not have been the way I was dosed and said that from now on I will go down 1 mg. every two to three weeks until I get to 6 mg's. I told her that was too fast. Her response and I quote, "There are no diseases that require a slow taper". I think my eyes popped out of my head. I said, "That is not the point. The point is that I've been on steroids for 13 years". She went on about how the adrenals will start back up with no problem. I just sat there and shook my head. I pushed for a month and she agreed. We'll see how this goes, but what is it about these doctors? What is the big damn hurry after all this time?

Cranky nurse had to draw my blood. She put the tourniquet on real tight and took her good old time drawing my blood. Grrrr.

I'm rendered speechless by her ignorance, and would love to know her evidence base for making such a stupid statement.
I don't allow the use of tourniquets, I use my hand as one instead. No risk of cross infection.

I'm really tempted to see an Endo for the taper, but the only two in my area are dolts. I know this because both my daughter and a friend of mine saw them for thyroid issues. I've heard others complain about them too. Plus, I cannot stand the thought of adding another specialist.

I was pretty speechless too. I should have argued more about withdrawal symptoms. She just doesn't care. I went to my GP months ago to see if they would oversee the taper. Although the PA agreed with me, she would not do it. I'm so fed up with the medical system here.

That is just too frustrating.
They have no idea what it is like to taper off this steroid. Mrsb posted the UK guidelines for tapering steroids. Those guidelines are reasonable and seem to take in to account the strain on a persons adrenals. Here in the US every doctor has their own idea. I think the only doctor who understands would be one who has been on prednisone.

Maybe it is time to add a module to medical training courses. Put them all on 60mg a day for a few weeks then make them taper fast. They would soon learn then!!