GCA inflammatory marker up again

[Bluemoon2023]

I was diagnosed with GCA. 6mnths ago,seem to be continuesly taking 2steps forward and two

Steps back.I have been on 12.5 for 2wks and my bloods are abnormal.Can you tell me where do we go from here.I feel okay in myself no flare ups at present.

Regards Valerie

[PMRpro Ambassador]

If you have tapered down to 12.5mg in 6 months that is a very fast taper in GCA and frankly I'm not surprised it feels like a soft-shoe shuffle!

However - what bloods are abnormal? If you mean your inflammatory markers - how abnormal and what were they last time they were measured? Have you had a cold or an injury of any sort?

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

In your last 3 posts [over a period of 3 months] each time you have said your bloods are abnormal…are they continuing rising or have they gone down following increase in Pred, and then and back up again?

Have to say having been down as low as 10mg after only a few months - your GCA is not being managed at all well. Are you being rushed down by doctors…. and the continual upping and downing is doing you no favours at all.

You need to be on a sensible dose - probably nearer 20mg and get really stable and then reduce much more slowly. You may feel okay at the moment, but I fear your castle is built on sand…and we all know what that means.

Hope I’m wrong…

[Bluemoon2023 in reply to DorsetLady]

Thankyou very much for replying .I will take it up with the consultant I see her on the 21st May

[Viveka]

Two steps forward, two steps back describes the early stages of GCA perfectly IMO.

How abnormal are your bloods? What does doc say? If doc not worried, and if you feel absolutely ok and symptom free, one option is to stay at 12.5 for a while and from now on slow your taper right down. Go down, perhaps, 1 mg a month to let everything stabilise.

If you have any persistent and worsening symptoms, then it's up the pred and taper more slowly.

[Bluemoon2023 in reply to Viveka]

Thanks for replying most helpful

[KASHMIRI1]

My blood test results nearly always say abnormal but expected.