Has anyone been in this situation?

Yes, I was in your situation. You did not mention your symptoms for GCA. Has your headache gone away? If you have GCA, you need to stay at 60mg for at least a month to ensure symptoms will not return including inflammation. Treating this is a slow process. Most GCA patients require 2 years on prefs at least...that's with no bad flares like I am currently having. Best of luck DNS watch your vision🎆. Ann11195

Well, I must tell you, I have NEVER had elevated levels of ESR or CRP, even when diognosed last May with PMR!  But, SYMPTOMS were the factor. I had other high readings indicating infection, blood issues and the typical other horrid symptoms. Now 3 months ago M GCA, has raised its ugly head along with PMR. AGAIN, no elevated ESR or CRP.  my Rheumy now knows I am ONE OF THE WEIRD ONES!  I had tapered to 10 mg Pred prior to GCA.  Rheumy hailed to 40 mg, then as severe headaches almost ceased she raised to 60. No headaches, but I have now been dealing with the vision issue. MANY, MANY drastic fluctions with eyes, and eye pressure. Three weeks and I will have changes. I will never complain about the Pred. I DO NOT WANT TO LOSE MY EYESIGHT!  It rescued me from severe pain, inability to walk, dress, or hardly function. I am now SLOWLY getting back into some of my beloved walking, and other physical activities. I may be 15 #s heavier, round face, lost most of hair, which is returning, and I feel better than I have for a year. Journey is far from over, but, I will continue with Pred, forever, if necessary. One other not, arterial biopsy was also negative, BUT, I was on Pred, and had been, so.....

Fandango, I had a long journey to diagnosis and, in spite of 'off-the-screen' markers of ESR and CRP, it wasn't until all the symptoms of GCA arrived on the scene that I was finally diagnosed with both PMR and GCA.  I was prescribed 40mg of Pred and referred to a rheumatologist within less than a week for confirmation.  By that time all the GCA symptoms had disappeared as if by magic and repeat blood tests added proof that the 40mg dose was working and controlling the inflammation.  The rheumatologist immediately got me on a steroid reduction plan, advising me to get in touch with him immediately if any head pain returned.  Luckily, no further head pain, but the PMR pain although much  resolved,proved a more difficult nut to crack.  Although I was lucky to find that 40mg proved sufficient for me and I was also able to reduce quickly from this high dose, many people are started on 60mg or even more, and the recommended time on the starting dose is 4-6 weeks.  If you are concerned, then do ask your GP if he can get the hospital to bring the appointment forward, or even ring the rheumy's secretary yourself and see if it can be brought forward - they might have a cancellation.  When my appointment came through I actually rang the secretary and asked if I could be switched from the named consultant to another I'd heard was highly recommended - best thing I ever did....wonderful rheumatologist!   

Ganando I did put my problem in this website and I have it had any reply but it have to do with crp and esr

I got the flu for 2 weeks then I was not getting better with lower back pain, pain in my lower tummy, fever like feelings, chills and the Dr sent me for a blood test this week and the next day he call me alarmed that my crp was 127 and the esr 89. He sent me two Kinds of antibiotics Cypro and another nasty one that I cannot tolerate, the reviews are bad.

Anyway I am out of work and I will see my Dr today again.

I am concerned because i have high cholesterol all my life and now this.

Plus I am taking allergy shoots once a week for a cough that I have for years.

Inflamation can be cause by so many things and my Dr is hoping that is some kind of infection. Years ago I had pain on NY back and celebrex in 2 or 3 days fix that.

I had gone to rheumatoid doctors and they don't think I have that.

But never I had crp or esr this high

A few months a go I had it and only the crp was 22

Please reply

Fandango, I have GCA. I was diagnosed about 16 months ago and am currently on 30mg pred, having had flares several times over this period of time and then having had to go back up to a very high dose.

It may be worth going back to your GP with your ESR/CRP result. He/she may decide to reduce the preds to somewhere around 40mg for now.

You will soon know if it's too early, as the symptoms will reappear if it is. But do be aware that reducing too quickly is the worst thing you can do and never more than 10%. You'll very likely find that most GP s and rheumatologists want you to reduce far quicker than is good for you in the long term, so be prepared.

Good luck.