CRP coming down

[Clarinet1234]

CRP has come down to 5. Hooray. It’s taken almost 2 months.

They are keeping me on 40mg of pred for another week. Than 35 mg for two weeks. 30 for 2 weeks and then 20 for a month.

I think that sounds reasonable. But you are the experts.

Thank you

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

It’s in line with suggested taper in guidelines- whether it works or not you’ll have to see.

Personally I’d prefer a drop from 30mg to 25mg for 2 -3mg weeks, then to 20mg [and yes for a month]although I did slip in 2-3 weeks at 22.5mg - but that was just me.

Hope it works for you.

[Clarinet1234 in reply to DorsetLady]

Thank you so much. I am getting bloods checked again next week as the rheumatologist want the CRP to be in the normal range by then. If not they may alter the plan.

Thank you for getting back to be so quicklyx

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Clarinet1234]

No problem.. hopefully CRP will be lower, but it’s how you feel as well not just them..

[SnazzyD]

Keep an open mind even if the bloods show ok. Be ready for withdrawal symptoms that may kick in from the day after to a few days and last for up to a week. A 5mg drop at this level had me on the sofa feeling fluey with a general headache. You may be fine. You get used to which symptoms are which after a few drops and hopefully you won’t get in a pickle trying to work out flare or withdrawal. Whether the planned drops are ok for your autoimmune activity can’t be predicted so keep calm and be vigilant.

[Gala123]

Interesting. When my CRP was 9 my rheumatologist said it was normal. It is now 5 and everybody is happy. Mind you, it was over 200 at some point. My NHS app also stated normal range below 10. Can it be different measurements? I know in the US they use different units, but I thought UK was uniform.

[Clarinet1234 in reply to Gala123]

It has taken me two months to get down to 5. Like you my CRP was over 200 and was still climbing.When I have looked at the ranges if suggest 0.3 to 1,

and 1-10:Moderate. Elevation.

Because they say my presentation was unusual in that they thought I had an underlying infection I think they are just bring very cautious.

Are you now well?

I have written in the wrong bit,!

[Gala123 in reply to Clarinet1234]

Thank you for your concern. Yes, I am much better. I would call it new normal, though, because I have now some permanent damage in my knees (they think I have inflammatory arthritis alongside PMR) and generally have less stamina and endurance. My muscles take much longer to recover from DOMS. But I have no stiffness or PMR-specific pain at the moment. I am on MTX and 3.5 mg pred.

[Clarinet1234 in reply to Gala123]

Glad you are doing well even if life is a little different.

I will keep you in my thoughtsx

[Gala123 in reply to Clarinet1234]

Thank you! I wish you all the best, too.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Gala123]

Usual advice re CRP in UK -

What is normal range of CRP reading?

Reference Range: 0-10 mg/L

Adult: less than 8 mg/L

Most patients (90%) without organic disease have CRP levels less than 3mg/L and 99% have levels less than 10mg/L.

*Normal or minor elevation - 3mg/L - 10mg/L - e.g. diabetes, depression, obesity, smoking, risk of CVD, pregnancy

*Elevated level of CRP- which indicate more serious diseases -

*Moderate elevation (10mg/L-100mg/L) -e.g. cancer, a/i diseases, heart attack, bronchitis

*Marked elevation (100mg/L-500mg/L) - e.g. acute bacterial infection, viral infection, trauma

*Severe elevation (>500mg/L) - e.g. acute bacterial infection

[Clarinet1234 in reply to DorsetLady]

Thank you x

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Gala123]

There may be some variation from lab to lab depending on the exact assay they use. The figures to pay attention to are usually in brackets after the result as the normal range for your lab.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Seems fair enough as a starting point - the proof will be when you actually try it!

[Sandmason]

How often is yours checked?

[Clarinet1234]

At the moment each week