Flare up

[Lindafrancis]

Can anyone tell me? If inflammation is shown in blood test but only slightly raised when on 5mg would the level be higher without the steriod I cannot get a straight answer from the docter

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

You would expect it to be - the Pred’s job is to reduce the inflammation caused by your illness. Not sure why your doctors don’t know that.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Probably. Pred reduces the inflammation, no pred would leave the inflammation at the original level. Inflammation in the body stimulates the liver to produce proteins - one is CRP so with inflamamtion that usually rises. Proteins on the outside of the red blood cells makes them stick together, making larger clumps which sink to the bottom of the liquid bloos in a tube more quickly so the ESR which is the measure of that also goes up.

[Rimmy]

After nearly 4 years with PMR/GCA and lots of blood tests I have realised my results aren't nearly as indicative as they apparently are for many others. My CRP for example has only been raised to what is considered an 'abnormal' level on rare occasions - although yes when I am having a flare with very clear symptoms. Increasing my Pred dose again then reduces that. My ESR has hardly ever been 'abnormal' since the beginning. So I consider any variation in my results relative to myself only.