To take or not to take daily dose of Prednisone before or after blood work (ESR and CRP), that is the question!

[Dochaz]

I'm going for blood work tomorrow morning, to check inflammatory markers, though not blood sugars as they have always been normal, so I can have breakfast beforehand. I usually take my Pred with breakfast (3.5 mg). Should I take my Pred as usual with breakfast before the tests or wait until afterwards? Will 3.5 mg make any difference to the results?

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

I never stopped taking Pred before blood tests for inflammation….

[Dochaz in reply to DorsetLady]

Ok, thx. I will take mine as usual, then.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Shouldn't be a problem if it is a morning blood sample.

[Grammy80]

I always just took my meds as prescribed. 💞

[Dochaz in reply to Grammy80]

Did that this morning, Took 3.5 mg at 8 am with breakfast. Blood tests at 11 am, results by e-mail at 2 pm, all well ... CRP normal, 3.2, and ESR 19 (up from 18 a month ago) but not alarming.

Thanks for your input Grammy80

[Grammy80 in reply to Dochaz]

When I read your reply, I checked my last blood tests out of curiosity....I forgot Actemra keeps the CRP and ESR at a synthetic normal range. I'm glad all is going well. 💞

[Bluey-1 in reply to Dochaz]

We’re at a similar stage with GCA I think Dochaz. I take my pred as normal (3mg). Had my bloods this week CRP 2; ESR 10. I’m in adrenal tiger territory at the moment. Had a few exhausting fatigue days over the weekend, really wiped out. So bizarre as I can feel normal on others. Such a roller coaster.

[Dochaz in reply to Bluey-1]

I know the feeling. It's totally unpredictable. I do see a correlation between good sleep vs poor sleep, though, in the following day's energy levels. Let's hope we can get off the roller coaster in the not too distant future!

[Bluey-1 in reply to Dochaz]

I agree, definitely a correlation. I can get sleep now but it can often be un restorative which feels dreadful the next day. I’m having a cortisol test on Monday so we’ll see what that shows. I get nervous about arranging social events which I need to feel human but if it’s not a feeling human day it’s so disappointing and hard work. We’re out at a concert tonight. I hope I don’t ‘fade’ like I did at some friends’ house on Sunday.