Hi, my Rheumy signed me off about a year ago as the Synacthen test was negative. My recent CRP was 2.5 which seems reasonable, ESR 26 which seems a little high but does tend to fluctuate. I was told to carry on taking Pred at a rate of 1mg and 2mg on alternate days permanently. Does this sound right. I'm 71 and, apart from wonky knees, but feel okay apart from some digestive and prostate problems.
Thx
Do you mean that your Adrenal system was shown to respond normally to the stimulating substance when you had been without any Pred for 24 hours, and was able to produce your own cortisol?Symptoms rule. You should have those wonky knees X Rayed perhaps. I am assuming the other health problems you have are known to your doctor.
You seem nearly home and dry. Just be clear about your adrenal function. It’s crucial.
Not sure it does sound right? Think you need a bit more clarification -any chance of speaking to GP? ..and get knees checked at same time.
Not quite sure how a synacthen lest can be negative - and anyway, I'd rather have a very positive result showing that my adrenal glands were able to function!
Do you function well on that alternating dose?
Ooops, meant it was positive and Adrenals functioning okay.
As a matter of interest, why have you been told to stay on alternating dose permanently?
Hi DL, don't know why, problem is that with Pred and PMR is you can have 10 medicos and each one will give you different advise. This is the only place where people seem to understand it.
Reportedly, Prof Desgupta (hugely respected nationally as an expert on PMR) sometimes keeps his patients on a very very low dose of Pred longterm to avoid flare ups, even though their PMR has improved or gone. I may be wrong but that is my understanding of one reason why this is done.
Think that's the reason. I guess 1.5mg / day is reasonably low. Thx.
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