CRP

[Webbyj]

Hi all, I just wondered if anyone has had a similar experience to this. I have MPA and haven’t been on any meds since April 2019 and have been in remission with regular blood monitoring. However this week my routine bloods shows a CRP of 119 and my kidney function has dropped to 55. (Was about 75). I had a strange episode prior to the blood test of abdominal and back pain with a drastic drop in pulse rate to below 45 which my GP is concerned about. I have therefore stopped taking Bisoprolol. I am wondering if having been put on Losartan instead of ramipril has caused these symptoms? Was put on it in November 2020.

Sorry for rambling but I am getting worried. Having bloods re retested tomorrow. Any thoughts anyone? Am I unnecessarily worried?

Thank you in advance x

[PMRpro]

I was on losartan for years with no problems at all.

Did you notice palpitations of any sort BEFORE the bradycardia episode (low heart rate)? Was it the same day as the blood test? I have only once ever had a raised CRP (it is a standard monitor for my vasculitis) and it was on a day where I had a strange episode - which in retrospect was a brief but severe attack of atrial fibrillation. I also had similar episodes of dizziness where my BP dropped dramatically - it just so happened I had a 24 hour BP monitor on and measuring when one happened.

Of course that didn't catch heart rate and we never did catch both together - until I collapsed and hit my head and ended up in hospital where they found I was having bradycardias with my pulse below 40 and occasionally up to 7 second long pauses - long time without a heart beat!! They almost always follow a tachycardic spell. I have a pacemaker now so nothing to worry about but it could have been nasty if one had happened in the wrong place at the wrong time.

[Webbyj in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you for replying. It was 2/3 days before the blood test. And it lasted for 2 days. I had been wearing a 24 hour ECG (it was meant to be 7 days so I don’t know what went wrong there) but that was removed a few days before it happened. Having read your post it does seem that maybe the 2 are connected then.

[PMRpro in reply to Webbyj]

Definitely worth bearing in mind - I complained about the dizziness repeatedly. I KNEW something was wrong and it was more luck than anything else I didn't fall downstairs or have a car accident. But "we didn't see anything" so they said they couldn't do anything. An ECG is useless if it isn't recording at the time and I was given a multiple day one eventually - but it was retrospective, you pushed the button when it happened. By the time it was recording it was too late.

I eventually fell hitting my head. I was fine as it happened. But a friend had a dizzy spell in Novemeber and fell down the stairs - breaking his neck. He is just getting a bit of movement back in his arms after 2 months - unlikely to get much better than that without a miracle.

[Webbyj in reply to PMRpro]

Thank goodness I live in a bungalow!!

[PMRpro in reply to Webbyj]

And I live in a flat - but in Italy, lifts are mandatory for any block of more than 3 stories!!!

[2534]

Hi Webbyj

I have had overwhelming instances with atrial fibrillation similar to yours and now have a pacemaker too. I have found that the Instant Heart Rate: HR monitor in the Apple App Store very helpful in monitoring my heart rate. Over the years I have found it reliable. I also downloaded two others so I occasionally cross check the Instant HR one with those. Good luck!

[Webbyj in reply to 2534]

I use the HR monitor on my Apple phone. It is very good. I have a telephone appointment with rheumatologist on Wednesday and cardiologist beginning of February so will see what they make of it all! Thank you.

[Webbyj]

Update - bloods were redone and all normal. CRP 1.6 but there is still a slight drop in kidney function which is now 61. I’m hoping that i don’t get another strange ‘episode’ 🤞🏻

[PMRpro in reply to Webbyj]

The eGFR can be affected by a range of factors - it is only an estimate and a good steak dinner the night before can send creatinine up and the eGFR down!

[Webbyj in reply to PMRpro]

Oh I didn’t know that. Thank you 🙏

[PMRpro in reply to Webbyj]

That's why they don't bother worrying until there are 3 consecutive low estimated readings - and then they shoud check it properly. It all started when a study was being done computing this eGFR with every blood test beinf done (it is done on the basis of certain blood tests and some assumptions) to see if it could be used as an easy monitor for developing renal disease. It was never intended by the study authors to be sent to GPs/included on the patient's results because they might misunderstand the figures and their significance but someone decided they would be. I know someone told she had renal failure by a nurse - because 1 result had just slipped into the 3A bracket which really isn;t anywhere near renal failure!

kidney.org/atoz/content/gfr

Your GFR starts to fall at about age 30-40 - and the older you are, the lower the figure that is acceptable.