SED Rates
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How soon after starting the pred. did you see your SED rates return to normal? I have been on prednisone for just over 5 weeks, 10MG at first and then upped to 20MG a week and a half ago. My new SED rates (From Friday) are 78- that is down from 108, but just doesn't seem low enough?
1 like, 14 replies
david14272 Heyyady
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erika59785 Heyyady
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EileenH Heyyady
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erika59785 EileenH
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I finally feel better after 3 weeks, and I don't want to rush the reduction of prednisone. The shoulders are better ......most of all I have a WILL TO LIVE and not think about my pain. :-)
Hope, the Fasching festivities are not too annoying for you. They will end soon.
Thank you again for your kind help. Erika
EileenH erika59785
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erika59785 EileenH
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I am so glad for this forum and the help and guidance I am able to receive.
Erika
Sadalice Heyyady
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I am 71 Started off one year ago on 20 mg.down to 12 mg a day now for a month.
My ranges are now back in low 30s which is supposedly a good sed rate for this disease with my age, however, my doc does not want me to go back high, so we are doing it one mg a month at a time.. I still during each month have at least one or two days when I have zero energy..and I am always surprised!
EileenH Sadalice
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Mine has been up to the dizzy heights of 7 on one occasion, normally it is 4. I'm early 60s but another lady in her mid 60s and another who is 70 both have readings of 2 to 4.
twigjean EileenH
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do they only do ESR's in UK and Italy? I have monthly CRP's here (USA) and no ESRs.
Barbara
ptolemy twigjean
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EileenH twigjean
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There is another measurement called plasma viscosity which some places use instead of ESR. All of them are very non-specific - although some doctors will tell you that CRP is more specific. No, it isn't that much better - the CRP does not alter with age, is slightly less sensitive to a cold and it is less important how the blood sample is stored and how soon the test is done, ESR must be done in less than 4 hours.
It is said that studies showed that doing both ESR and CRP are more specific in diagnosing PMR but I would say the figures aren't that different. For the purposes of monitoring how effective the treatment is being it depends on the patient - and anyway it is the symptoms that should be king not blood tests. The bloods can be fine but the symptoms worse - because they lag behind. The same applies in rheumatoid arthrtitis - and it is a constant bugbear of patients who know their pain is getting worse but their bloods are still fine.
Heyyady
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Heyyady
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EileenH Heyyady
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