CRP

[joat]

Have recently reduced from 15mg to 13 of Pred. Had blood test last Monday, results back Wed. Got a print out but surgery said I had to have an urgent phone appt with GP (mine happens to be on hols yet again). ESR up from 12 to 15, CRP from 3 to 12 and all other results slightly raised. Am now on a course of anti-biotics but why? Can anyone tell me? Have GCA.

Should mention over eighteen months CRP has never been more than 5

[piglette]

Goodness knows why they gave you anti biotics. My CRP went up to 415 (frightening figure!!) recently after an op and they just upped my steroids.

[joat in reply to piglette]

Thank you piglette. Why am I worrying when I compare my readings to yours!!! Have ultra thin skin obviously due to Pred but also am rather old so am constantly having to go to the surgery for injuries to be dressed. Perhaps Gp thinks there might be some infection although the latest are healing well.

Happy Christmas to you and I hope a good New Year.

[piglette in reply to joat]

Hi Joat, I have managed to get the district nurses to come to me three times a week to dress my leg, although they are trying to get me to go to the surgery.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Er - it didn't occur to them that the marginal increase in levels could just as well be the GCA having a slight flare? And actually - if EVERYTHING is raised - you weren't dehydrated were you?

Actually, a single raised value shouldn't trigger a kneejerk reaction like that - it should be repeated a week later and then considered. But never mind...

[Rugger]

My figures 2 weeks ago were virtually the same as yours and the same increases : ESR up from 11 to 15 and CRP up from 3 to 12! My GP has decided to wait until next week and repeat the tests. At the time of the last blood test I had pulled a muscle in my back, so I wondered if there might be inflammation in my system from that. Otherwise, it might be the start of a PMR flare.

I don't have any obvious signs of infection elsewhere and the pulled muscle has recovered with only paracetamol.

I hope things settle for you and the healing continues.

Best wishes for Christmas and the New Year.

[BonnyQuine]

My CRP has just gone down fr 57 to 35. Everyone delighted!

[HeronNS]

Both your readings are far better than either of mine have ever been, and no one has ever given me "other results". Maybe there is something in the "other results" which made them think you need a course of antibiotics.