PRED. REDUCED BUT CRP LEVELS UP AND DOWN STILL
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Hi all, After 3 1/2 years of PMR, I'm now on a Pred. reduction from 2mg. to 1.75mg. I am pleased with this as I have significant spinal osteoporosis and really want to keep the Pred. to the lowest level possible. However my CRP levels tend to swing about a good bit - eg. during this year I actually had a normal reading (for the first time since the PMR was diagnosed), but more recently the reading was 19. I feel quite well with just the usual aches after each reduction which then stop.
I use Eileen's really slow tapering regime - presdently reducing by 1/4 mg. at a time.( No joke cutting the 1mg. tablets!).
Some time ago I THINK I remember Eileen talking about some people having different baselines of CRP readings but I've searched and can't find it.
Any comments, suggestions, scientific findings, or links to Eileen's wisdom???
Many thanks.
0 likes, 8 replies
Anhaga Juno-Irl-Dub
Posted
My CRP is never checked, except at the beginning when being diagnosed. Only ESR. Is that bad, or maybe it's good as it's one less number to worry about.
Juno-Irl-Dub Anhaga
Posted
To be honest, I don't really know. I just thought that CRP measured inflammation and ESR infections etc. . . . . J
Anhaga Juno-Irl-Dub
Posted
Dr Google says this : The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR or sed rate) and C-reactive protein (CRP) are among the oldest laboratory tests still in use. Both bloods tests are used to detect inflammation in the body. Inflammation can present as either acute (ie, from injury or infection) or chronic.
But I'm pretty sure they measure in different ways and there seems to be some disagreement about which is better in PMR. I also seem to remember reading that CRP can also be used in cancer diagnosis but could be completely wrong about that. My ESR was 16 four months ago, and 19 (which it had been before) last month. Apparently these are both "normal for my age". I was in a slightly difficult taper when the more recent reading was done, so that makes sense. I'll time my next test for when I feel great!
Juno-Irl-Dub Anhaga
Posted
Juno-Irl-Dub Anhaga
Posted
Just checked. My ESR levels were very similiar to yours over the past 2 years - all in the 'teens' up to 20 with one reading of 37. CRP was up and down, (with the first reading before treatment of 97!). None of these readings tie in with any pain symptoms . . . . J.
Anhaga Juno-Irl-Dub
Posted
My doctor wasn't concerned even when the reading was a bit higher - still "normal for age". Which I think is a bit of a copout by the medical people as I think what it means is that older people have more things wrong in their bodies, hence more inflammation. Doesn't reassure me to think that it's okay to be a little bit sick and that's normal!
Juno-Irl-Dub Anhaga
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Ah Anhaga! aren't we a all a' little bit sick' ! .In fact, I often feel more than a 'little bit' ha ha. I think your doc came from the same school of thought as mine who says (quote) "after 50 the wheels start to come off the carriage" . . More seriously though, I never heard of an ESR or CRP reading being "normal for age" - must be one wheel getting a bit wobbly but the axle is still holding . .. (sorry, sorry, couldn't help myself!). T
Juno-Irl-Dub
Posted