New Blood test

[rustyrussell]

I've been on pred now for 4 weeks on 15mg and my 1st blood test was the ESR 26 and CRP 35 now 4 weeks later my new Bloods are ESR 5 and CRP 1.even thou I don't ache as much i still do.is this normal still? even thou the bloods are normal level I've been told?

[SnazzyD]

Those low levels after being high before diagnosis, means the Pred is helping keep the inflammation at bay.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Pred is working, but it does sometimes keep the markers artificially low......symptoms are always the key on how you are doing.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

There isn't as much parallel between the blood markers and the symptoms as a lot of doctors like to think. Do you ache all the time? Is it related to what you did the day before or specific activities?

[rustyrussell in reply to PMRpro]

i ache more when the tabs seem to wear off and also if i walk too much or when i Drum but i cant play proper any more cause of my arms

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to rustyrussell]

Too much of any repetitive action - like drumming or using the same muscles walking - will cause delayed onset muscle soreness. If you then use those muscles before the aches have worn off it will just feel as if you ache all the time.

The antiinflammatory effect of pred lasts for 12-36 hours depending on the person. If you are towards the 12 hour end then pain will return before the next dose is due. It might help if you are able to split your dose, say 2/3 in the morning and the rest late enough in the day to carry the effect over to the next morning. Taking it a couple of hours before the aches are expected to return is one place to start and experiment a bit.