weight gain and high inflam #'s

[dougy8419]

After 3 1/2 years ,PMR and GCA, I have finally been off prednisone for 5 months with a little pain and some morning stiffness ,but very manageable. My question is my inflammatory numbers are higher than they have ever been ( weren't high when all this started) and I'm gaining even more weight off prednisone. What's up? I eat very little sugar, wheat, dairy or soy. ARGH. Advice?

[Hindags]

I can see why you would be mystified. I don't have any answers. I did find keeping the weight off harder as I got lower on Pred but it seemed a bit easier when my energy leveled out at about 3mg. I'm curious too. Good luck sleuthing.

[dougy8419 in reply to Hindags]

Thank you, so perplexed. Rheumy said today that that if they are still high on today's retest that she will put me on 10 mg pred and then retest after 3 weeks. If still high, something else is going on requiring CT. If the #'s have dropped,I need to consider actemera due to inflammation that will not allow me off steroids. We'll see,I have no other symptoms.

[Rugger in reply to dougy8419]

I am in a similar situation, with rising inflammatory markers, but no increase in PMR symptoms. My Rheumy is talking about a PET CT scan. I see her in 3 weeks.

Me: PMR since May 2016. A few flares along the way. Now on 4.5mg pred.

[Blearyeyed]

If your inflammatory markers are up but you don't feel the PMR symptoms as yet , you do need to have other possibilities investigated ( like infection ) and have the markers tested again irrespective of your symptoms in a month to see if there is a pattern that will require diagnosis.

If you have put on weight since stopping steroids , this could also show that you may need to have your thyroid panel tested , as under or overactive thyroid activity can happen because of a change in steroid use.

You may also want to consider if you are having other symptoms you weren't too bothered about like changes in hair and skin , temperature issues , mild headaches , changes in digestion .

A rapid increase in weight with high inflammatory markers could be caused by numerous health issues and does need discussing with a GP for proper testing.

[dougy8419 in reply to Blearyeyed]

Thank you for your suggestions. See above.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

That is a new one on me! Though my immediate thoughts on reading your post shouted "?thyroid".

But you do need a proper investigation by your GP I think.

[dougy8419 in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you!

[SheffieldJane]

Many reasons can cause our inflammatory markers to rise ( even the common cold). Let us know when you have had the necessary investigations. PMRPro’s suggestion of an underactive thyroid glad is interesting.

[dougy8419]

I will and thank you. See above.