ESR rate

[Southmead]

Hello, as always I refer to this page as it gives me more information and help than I can get anywhere else with fellow sufferers. This is for the more medically minded. I get my blood checked every 6 months, back in Feb my Erythocyte Sediment Rate, or ESR was 49 out of a range of 0-20. well over.

Now 6 months later it's just 7, which is very pleasing. I have felt a lot better these last few weeks, very little for no fatigue. Dare I say normal. I'm still on 5 mm a day on Pred, and whenever I get below that I notice the difference. However with a normal ESR rate is this cause for optimism?

Thank you..

[PMRpro Ambassador]

It means that the current dose of pred is plenty to keep the inflammation under control - it doesn't mean the cause of the PMR has gone away. But you have got to a pretty low dose so yes, you look as if you will be able to get away with that low dose and hopefully less in time.

What happens BELOW 5mg? Is it increasing fatigue or is a return of PMR symptoms?

[Southmead in reply to PMRpro]

More of a slight increase of stiffness, the lack of fatigue is the longest break I've had.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Southmead]

Have you tried a very very slow drop? Like 1/2mg over a couple of months?

[Southmead in reply to PMRpro]

I have been following the dead slow reduction plan, 5mm to 4mm. I will try the 1/2mm instead of 1mm reduction.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Southmead]

As you get lower it often helps to also get slower! No hurry!

[Southmead in reply to PMRpro]

As always, Thank You!

[Exflex]

Percentage reduction is a good guide, eg 0.5mg reduction from 5mg. The lower the stable dose the harder it gets, but the body seems to able to average over a 48hr period.

[Southmead in reply to Exflex]

Thank you, I will slowly keep plodding along.