Pharmacist Review

[dolphin39]

I was diagnosed with PMR 4 1/2 years ago and had reduced pred to 3.5mg earlier this year. I was receiving monthly blood tests for ESR levels. These were 32 in February and 44 in March. In April the level was 17, and as the GP had said anything below 22 was OK, I reduced to 3mg. This resulted in a flare and by the time my next test was due on April 30th, I could not breathe without pain. However, on arriving for my appointment, I was told it was cancelled and I was given another appointment on May 4th. In the meantime, I upped my pred by 10mg per day and the pain eased. The test on May 4th gave a result of 41 and I was told the GP had said no change was necessary as this was 'normal for this patient'. Since then I have not requested further blood tests, relying on symptoms and your advice. I am now down again to 3.5mg and on third week of taper towards 3mg. My problem is that I have been told that I have a telephone appointment on Wednesday for an in-depth review by the practice clinical pharmacist to discuss my medicines. Is there any way of guessing what the ESR level would have been on April 30th?

[PMRpro Ambassador]

No, no way without a functional crystal ball! Possibly even higher if you were already taking pred by then. Did they do a CRP as well?

However, since you have been down to an ESR of 17 I would robustly object to the GP's comment at 41 is "normal for this patient", It patently is NOT. If you have no symptoms then that is OK and they always trump the blood markers which can go up for all sorts of reasons

[dolphin39 in reply to PMRpro]

No, haven't had a CRP for years.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Sorry (As implied by PMRpro) crystal ball overloaded! And blood markers don’t alway correlate to symptoms.

Let’s hope the pharmacist is more helpful than GP seems.

[piglette]

Someone mentioned in the press yesterday they had been given a telephone appointment to have their ears syringed out. Obviously the NHS have been working with Hogwarts.

[Longtimer in reply to piglette]

Probably to say they don't do it anymore!.....that's what a couple of people I know have been told.....

[piglette in reply to Longtimer]

I have heard that too.

[Needhamite in reply to Longtimer]

Our surgery in Mid Suffolk stopped ear syringing last year. Referred to Specsavers, who only charge £55.

[Longtimer in reply to Needhamite]

Yes, I know someone who had to go there.....sounds odd, going to Specsavers for hearing!

[Constance13 in reply to Longtimer]

It's almost the norm over here.