CRP blood test

[Redcottage]

Is it best to take Prednisolone after having a blood test

Also can you advise if it is ok to take Vitamin B and Vitamin D with Prednisolone

Thank you

[PMRpro Ambassador]

What sort of blood test?

Have you been tested for vitamin deficiencies? Vit D with pred is recommended together with calcium. However, it is better not to take vit B unless you are deficient.

[Redcottage in reply to PMRpro]

Very much appreciate your help.

So far the doctors have made several mistakes. First mistake prescribed 40mg Prednisolone daily for 5 days. I have high blood pressure and on the third day it was very high. Luckily I realised blood pressure was high and took another tablet to lower it. I should have been prescribed 20mg daily for 5 days.

It is a CRP blood test at 9.30 I think I should take Prednisolone after having the blood test.

Please can you say why not advisable to take Vitamin B. Just bought Vitamin B Complex. I thought it may help with anxiety.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Redcottage]

A 5 day course of pred is often used for other things. On the other hand, if the diagnosis if PMR- neither 5 days at any dose or 40mg is correct. 20mg is the usual upper level of starting dose and PMR is a chronic condition for which 5 days of steroids is useless.

The point of the CRP is to see how your inflammation is responding to the pred but when you take today's dose relative to the dose is fairly immaterial - it doesn't change the level suddenly. If you prefer to wait for a morning blood sample to be taken, that is fine.

Just because some extra is beneficial, it does not mean more is even better. I posted this some time ago about excess vit B6 - often supplements overdose you, sometimes because you are taking a few things and they all have some in them, or your diet may be perfectly adequate and you are overdoing it. I personally don't think supplements other than vit D are required unless your doctor has done a blood test and established you are deficient. That is different,

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk....