Femur surgery 1 month ago

[Nap1]

So I fell and broke the left femur which is the knee that needs replacing. Big rod from hip to knee. So I am on 13 mg of pred. and just went back on Actemra. CRP 138 and ESR 65. Didn’t increase steroids but did go back on Actemra. Am in rehab so it’s not easy to change meds. I had Actemra at home so friend brought it in with Rheumatologist ok. CRP was the sensitive one. I can’t figure it out. Am wheelchair bound and really upset. Was walking with walker waiting to do knee for years.

[HeronNS]

I'm so sorry, you've had a tough time. I hope the rehab is helpful to you and you are treated kindly and well. Do you have any idea when you'll be home?

[Nap1 in reply to HeronNS]

Thank you Heron NS. Rehab is helping. How much is yet to be seen. It’s a month now and I couldn’t stand before. It just is a slow process which I hope gets me back to the walker. Do worry about GCA though. Does the NS stand for Nova Scotia. Been to Peggy’s Cove. Best scallops and potatoes in the world. Bay of Fundy😀. If it’s not Nova Scotia well you know what I love.

[HeronNS in reply to Nap1]

Glad you're on the mend. Yes, NS is Nova Scotia!

[stellafmdm in reply to HeronNS]

My cousins live there, in Yarmouth, I've visited them and loved Nova Scotia, but not a bit like Scotland! I hope the rehab goes well Nap1.

[HeronNS in reply to stellafmdm]

The more "highlands" looking area is Cape Breton where if school geography serves me the remnants of the Appalachians are more evident. And there are still a few people in parts of the province whose first language is Gaelic.

gaeliccollege.edu/

[stellafmdm in reply to HeronNS]

Wow, I didn't know anyone still spoke Gaelic over there!

[HeronNS in reply to stellafmdm]

Have a look at the Wikipedia article "Canadian Gaelic".

[SheffieldJane]

Oh dear! Ouch! Poor you. You must be so disappointed about your knee surgery. I hope the doctors have something positive to tell you soon. 💐

[Nap1 in reply to SheffieldJane]

Yes me too

[PMRpro Ambassador]

What can't you figure out? The raised markers? How long is it since the fall?

The CRP and ESR will have been raised because of the trauma and also the op to repair it:

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/834...

And get well soon.

[Nap1 in reply to PMRpro]

So blood test yesterday came back even crazier CRP 8 and ESR 21. Different lab as opposed to my doctor whose blood Goes directly to the hospital. is it possible to go from 158 CRP to 8 and 65 to 21 in a week? Only took a shot of Actemra? It’s very expensive to go to doctor by ambulance. I can’t walk. So in US mini ambulance is used. $4 a mile plus $60 to start. But I might have to do it. Afraid of another relapse. Read websites you sent. Understand most. Is the drop in numbers at all possible. TU very much. Marilyn

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Nap1]

I don't know how effective/fast Actemra is but it is possible I suspect.

[Jackoh]

Can understand your frustration and being upset about the circumstances. Hope your GCA remains stable and that you will soon be on the mend. Let us know how you get on.

[Nap1]

Try this CRP 7 ESR 21. Different lab. One week apart. My only symptoms are fatigue and more fatigue. It’s like someone else’s blood

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Thanks - interesting. I'd assume it was pretty speedy, but that is amazing!

[Nap1 in reply to PMRpro]

I think blood test is wrong. Can’t be that fast.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Nap1]

It can - it all depends on how the medication works.

[Nap1 in reply to PMRpro]

I now think it did work that fast. I waited until I was healed on the outside which took 3 weeks or so and then took shot. It’s a month since my surgery and it’s still quite painful. Needless to say knee is a disaster. Will deal with that ASAP. Only G-d knows when that will be it’s 3 years trying. 😂

[Nap1]

Just listened to Dr Stone (amazing doctor) and I fully believe my blood test is correct. Actemra is an amazing drug. It brought those numbers down after a week. Yesterday was a down day and I was exhausted but I believe now it is still from the femur break and surgery. Thank you so very much for sharing. This should be shared with everyone. It’s your impressive find perhaps you would like to do it. Besides I don’t know how. Thank you again DadCue. Much appreciated.

[Nap1]

It’s been 5 years for me because Actemra was not around. When it was I went to NY to see one of the doctors doing the trials with stone. He took me down so fast without Actemra I relapsed and went back to square one. Long story like GCA. Just continued to flare. Much better now but stuck on 13. Wont reduce until after I’m healed completely.