Wound update and reducing pred

[Buchanan16]

Following on from my previous post and my mums fall we have just been to doctors to get her wound checked and her stitch removed.The nurse was really happy with the wound it's very clean no signs of infection and she said it looks like it should heal well. They are going to check it every few days and at moment she has still to keep it dry and covered as they don't want to take any chances.

So all good on that front. My mum was very nervous going to nurse but seems to have settled down now and my dads wound on his cheek is looking great so she is less worried about him now.

Our gp was happy with me increasing dose to 12mg as per flare protocol as he said it should hopefully help reduce crp and esr quicker as well as help with current situation and we are now on

are on day 11 of increased dose and we have just had her bloods done.

My question is if the crp and esr haven't reduced or worse have risen after her fall should we stay on 12mg longer and start slow taper from there again or are we okay to mayb drop back to 8mg instead of the 7mg we were on.

She had been doing so well to but the recent increase in esr and crp were causing me concerns even before the fall so I'm just concerned I don't want to drop her back down only to need to increase it again.

I also know our rheumie will not be happy when we go to see her in March if I've upped pred as she was thinking we shld be of them by time we see her even though our gp and I felt to get to 7mg in 2 years from where she started was amazing.

Anyway apologies for going of on a tangent there but it's been a difficult few weeks and to top it all of my sister-in-law goes in to hospital today to get a tumour on her bladder removed so I feel my heads all over the place at moment and i just want to make sure I do right thing with regards to my mum.

Thanks once again for listening and all your support.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Hi,

Good to hear her wound is healing.

As for bloods, I’d leave your mum on the increased dose for the full 14 days, even a few more probably wouldn’t harm, and then maybe drop back in 2 stages. To 10mg for a week or so and then to 8mg.

[Buchanan16 in reply to DorsetLady]

Thank you I'm just hoping fall hasn't increased her readings and the additional pred has mayb helped reduce numbers a bit.

[Buchanan16 in reply to DorsetLady]

Hi my mums just had blood results and her crp has dropped from 15 to 8 and crp from 34 to 24 so I'm pleased with that and hopefully it continues.I was thinking of keeping her at 12mg for another few days just to be on safe side as you suggested but I just wondered when I drop her back to 10mg then 8mg do I just go from 12mg straight to 10 for couple of weeks then straight to 8mg for couple weeks then start your slow taper again from 8mg?

I wasnt sure if it should be gradually or okay to drop right back down.

Thanks again and apologies for possibly asking a stupid question but I don't want to do wrong thing now at this stage.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Buchanan16]

Not a stupid question at all… and as you suggested… 12mg to 10mg in one stop, stay there 1-2 weeks, then same to 8mg for same timescale.. or longer if you both think necessary…and then back to usual tapering..

and good luck.

[Buchanan16 in reply to DorsetLady]

Thank you

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I'm so glad your GP is rather more sensible than your rheumy!!! A few mg at her age isn't going to be the end of the world and if it makes her feel even better. all to the good. She is amazing!

Sorry to hear about your SIL - it's always a worry until you know it is dealt with. Hope it all goes well.

[Buchanan16 in reply to PMRpro]

Our gp is very good im not sure if that mayb has bit to do with them missing her pmr then gca but he has been exceptionally good since then and willing to listen to me and go by how my mum is. The rheumatologist on the other hand thinks I'm the daughter who 'loves' steroids apparently and doesn't want my mum of them which isnt true I just want her at nearly 88 to have a good quality of life which surely can't be a bad thing.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Buchanan16]

I'm with you!!!