lab results

[GMA74]

So since starting Prednisone 20 mg Jan 4 and tapering to 15 mg on March 21 my ESR on monthly labs has gone from 41 ,34, 22.,44 & today 63 . My CRP started @ 10.9 ,5.2, 8.6 , 19.7 & today is 7.7. My AST & ALT were very elevated last month, 83 & 47 but are in normal range today .

As I related in previous question I’m wondering whether my neck and shoulder discomfort & my blurry vision are uncontrolled PMR & prednisone side affect or beginning of GCA ?

I see Rheumy Friday but would appreciate input from the “experts “ Either way I’m anticipating Him upping my dosage 😞

[Grammy80]

I'm so glad you are seeing the rheumy this week. It is a sure sign something is going on....it is far better to increase the dosage than risk any visual loss, if that is what is going on. I've been on TCZ and pred since 2019. I started out much higher than 20 mg and it has taken a while to get down to single digits. Even though the side effects are a pain in the ...you know what... it is best to be safe. My best to you💞 (I do have GCA)💞

[GMA74 in reply to Grammy80]

I’m not having headache , tingling etc. - just the shoulder & neck discomfort and blurry vision

What symptoms of GCA did you have and did the higher dose & TCZ remedy it quickly ? Did you have a biopsy or ultrasound ?

[Grammy80 in reply to GMA74]

I'm dictating this response on my phone so forgive my errors. There will be some. I was having terrible neck pain pain in the back of my heand pinned on my left side of my face. I was constantly diagnosed with the flu and when I had jaw qualification and pain. I was diagnosed as having infected sinuses. This went on for almost ten months. I started out at eighty milligrams of methylprednisolone and shots weekly of october in october of twenty nineteen. A vascular surgeon did a temporal artery biopsy for the diagnosis.It has been a long journey with ups and downs like almost everybody on the forum.

I hesitate to say much more because we are all individuals. In your case from what you have shared? I would just need to know why my markers were so high. I knew nothing about auto immune disorders. I was completely in the dark and once I was diagnosed I needed firm answers.

Actemra has worked for me but it has worked slowly....💕 I hope you get some answers on friday.

[Bluey-1 in reply to Grammy80]

Oh my Grammy, you suffered for so long prior to diagnosis. I thought a couple of weeks of what you describe was a long time. I too chased a diagnosis during that time, thinking it was a recurrence of oral lichen Planus (I seemingly collect auto immune problems) or TMJ as suggested by my dentist. At 67 I discovered GCA is a life changer, although things have improved since the dark days.

[Grammy80 in reply to Bluey-1]

You have a good spirit and that is not always easy to find!! The fact that you see and feel improvement is great. When we feel it....embrace it!! It is a life changer and I finally held a silent ceremony and put my life before GCA in a memory bank. I will be 83..shocker...in September. My energy level is improved...or is it psychological? Today I spent the morning at the local Senior Center painting....what a boost that was. I met lots of brave spirits too.💞

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

ESR can be raised by a variety of reasons - not just PMR - from a stubbed toe to recovery from an operation - has anything occurred recently that might account for them being raised.

However the neck and shoulder pain could be PMR and as they are rising it is cause for concern.

I think in previous posts re labs. PMRpro did suggest you may be on slightly too low a dose.

The blurred vision can be a side effect of the Pred.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I do think he has to consider that the lowered dose isn't enough but it might be easier for us to comment when we know what he thinks'suggests.

[GMA74]

Thankyou all! No other illness, cold or injury has happened so I’m anxious to hear his opinion

I’ll let you know. Blessings

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to GMA74]

Good luck...