GCA Prednisone tapering after Covid 19

[Vikinga]

First of all a big thank you to the members of this forum. Always willing to help when questions arise and provide invaluable, experienced info. My question today is related to the impact Covid 19 had on my CRP . My CPR was 3.6 when I got Covid 19 on September 14 this year. I was taking 9mg prednisone and everything was going well with no flares.

The increases in CRP started in October. At the end of October reached 42.1 (ESR 15) and my Rheumy advised me to increase the prednisone to 20mg for 1 week and then 15 mg for 1 week. I knew this recommendation was not going to work and it didn't!

November 18: CRP was 20.3 (ESR 13). Then I decided to take 20 mg prednisone for a month.

December 2: CRP 28.3 (ESR 22)

December16: CRP 14.4 (ESR 13),

December 30: CRP was 13.4 (ESR 15)

January 15: CRP was 50.9 (ESR 17)

January 28: CPR is 12.9 (ESR 9)

Could this variation of CRP values due to the impact of Covid 19? I have not had any symptoms of GCA. My question is should I continue taking 20 mg prednisone and see what happens with my CRP in 2 weeks?

Warm regards the Great White North

Vikinga

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Would say highly likely that Covid is responsible for CRP levels… although the increase on 15 Jan is a bit odd… wonder if that was just one of those rogue readings…

Can you just confirm you have been on 20mg since Nov 18th? If so, you can’t just drop down too quickly… even though you say you don’t have an GCA symptoms.. maybe try 17.5mg for a couple of weeks and see what happens -if okay then to 15mg for another couple of weeks ….

It’s a bit try it and see…

[Vikinga in reply to DorsetLady]

Yes, I have been on 20mg since November 18. The Jan 15 CRP of 50.9 left me shocked. I was glad to see it went down yesterday

Thank you DL. I will follow your advice

Vikinga

[Chiqui1950 in reply to Vikinga]

One time I had an extreme marker like yours and my doctor said that it could be a mistake and he was correct -- in the next testing my levels were MUCH lower --- and I was able to continue to taper. You might try to check your markers once again to be sure--- before tapering--- What is great is that your body is responding to the prednisone!!!best of luck

[Chiqui1950 in reply to Chiqui1950]

I must add that for me --- although your ESR of 9 would be great for me, a CRP of 12 would be quite high--- and I always taper at 1 to 3 CRP --- perhaps the experts on this forum may have some advice at to what to do---Sorry I did not include this in my prior message!

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Chiqui1950]

PMRpro and I both queried if relating to Covid rather than GCA as no symptoms and suggested retesting. As you rightly say, you can get rogue results sometimes.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Chiqui1950]

Whenever you get a single high value, the correct procedure is to recheck a week or two later to establish is there is a rising trend.

[Vikinga in reply to PMRpro]

I am rechecking in 2 weeks.

I am hoping that CRP will be below 10

[Chiqui1950 in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you PMRpro!

[PMRpro Ambassador]

CRP is a totally non-specific marker - all sorts of things can send it up. Had you had a cold/chest infection? Has there been any sign the Covid has hung on in your lungs - lung infections can send the CRP up. No muscle problems? They can send CRP up too.

[Vikinga in reply to PMRpro]

No, no cold/chest infection. No signs of Covid affecting my lungs. I have had muscle weakness that started in 2023 when I had PMR but did not affect my CRP.

The sudden jump of CRP to 50.9 left me stressed. Thanks for your reply

Vikinga

[piglette]

CRP test is used to find inflammation in your body. Inflammation could be caused by various types of conditions, such as an infection or autoimmune disorders, not just PMR or GCA. Have you felt ill at all? My CRP has gone over 100 a few times although I felt fine. The important thing is how do you feel?

[Vikinga in reply to piglette]

Hi Piglette, I am feeling fine. What have you done when your CRP has gone up so much?

Vikinga

[piglette in reply to Vikinga]

Initially my doctor used to panic and tested me for cancer etc. they now say it is just me!!

[Vikinga in reply to piglette]

Good to know. My rheumy panicked with my 50.9 CRP on January 15 and ordered a CT thoracic scan to test for cancer also. I rejected it yesterday when my CRP was down to 12.9

It is great to know your experience with these CRP's up and downs!

Thank you!

Vikinga

[piglette in reply to Vikinga]

I must admit I do worry a bit about it being so high. On the other hand I have a very low temperature and also blood pressure and it seems my bones have a reading close to that of stainless steel!! My brother reckons I have turned up on the wrong planet.

[Pickets]

I was beginning to taper last September following a PMR flare when I had my annual flu jab.. it coincided with a rheumatology referral ( my first !) and bloods from that appointment showed my CRP was 98! Panic stations led to huge hike in pred / promise of methotrexate and PET scan as she thought I must have LVV…I didn’t. So back to original diagnosis and normal taper plan begun. Convinced now the flu jab rocketed up the CRP as it was down again by the following week!!

[Vikinga in reply to Pickets]

Thank you Pickets. I am looking forward to the blood test results on February 11 to check if my CRP is lower than 10. Keeping my fingers crossed!

Vikinga

[Pickets in reply to Vikinga]

Hope you get good news! What a minefield it all is….

[Vikinga in reply to Pickets]

You got it right Pickets!