CRP

[jules1955]

Hi Guys, I’m still at 7 Pred but arms still ache at top and struggle to do bra strap.

Base of spine and bum/thigh pain has been bad for a few weeks. Just had blood test for CRP and it’s 11 ! Over my 4 years with PMR highest was 12 and lowest 5.5

Before test My Doctor says “ Is it PMR pain or could it be arthritis/age that was masked by the Pred ? I know the pain/ache in arms is PMR. Doctor was happy for me to go up to 7 Pred weeks ago, but after result thinking should I go up more ?

She is ok with results ?

Jules x

Photo is me and Hubby in Paris ( a million years ago ! 😘)

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

The answer to should you go up - needs to be based on symptoms, or lack of them, not just blood results (particularly a one-off), which can lag behind symptoms, or maybe due to something else completely.

Have they gone now you are on 7mg? If yes, then no need to increase again - if no, then maybe consider an increase.

Suggest you get bloods tested again in 3-4 weeks and then re-assess the situation. By then you should have a clearer view of symptoms as well.

[jules1955 in reply to DorsetLady]

Hi DorsetLady, thank you for replying. I’m still in pain and been on 7 for a few weeks now, so I think I will go up and hopefully it will help x

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to jules1955]

Obviously not enough - are you 100% sure it’s all down to PMR though?

Sometimes it is a bit difficult to differentiate between PMR and arthritic pain - although we think we know what’s what!

[jules1955 in reply to DorsetLady]

I’m sure arm pain is, hips back is similar to before but could be arthritis?

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Judging by the CRP you need more pred to control the inflammation - the CRP going up like that is a sign of inclreasing inflammation but it might not be the PMR so the question then is what symptoms have you got.

As I understand your post - you need more. And she shouldn't be OK with the results if you have symptoms. You need your CRP to be around 5 or 6 if that is the best you achieved on pred.

You MIGHT need a few days at a higher dose to clear things out as its obviously been hatching for a while.

[jules1955 in reply to PMRpro]

Shall I go to 10 and see how I feel - then ask for another test in 4 weeks ?

If the pain goes/ is better and the next test is lower do I then presume it’s PMR ?

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to jules1955]

Not sure I'd wait 4 weeks, 2 weeks would be better, To be honest, I doubt "arthritis" is a factor, at least. I'm assuming they mean osteoarthritis, Wouldn't usually cause muscle pain or that sort of increase in CRP.

[SheffieldJane]

That pain sounds awfully familiar to me, as PMR pain. I would be urging my doctor to let me go up a bit more to obtain relief and swerve a full blown flare. Great picture! You are from my era. Weren’t we lovely?

[Evercurious in reply to SheffieldJane]

We still are!

[jules1955]

Thank you for reply xx and yes ! Weren’t we ! xx

[SheffieldJane]

I bought lace bralettes from M&S with no back fastening when I had your bra strap symptoms. I can’t bear to give them up now.

[jules1955 in reply to SheffieldJane]

Ewwwww I’ll have a look xx