CRP and SED levels

Posted by aliceoleary @aliceoleary, Nov 1, 2021

Hello - I am so happy to find this forum. There is nothing better than actual experience to help us make decisions about medications, diet, etc.

I was diagnosed in June with PMR. My CRP was 165. My SED rates have always been normal. The Medrol brought the CRP down rather quickly to the very high end of normal. It went up slightly as we began to taper so we are now playing that game.

My question is the CRP level of 165. I haven't seen anyone in this forum mention a level that high. Does anyone have any information to share on this? Thank you.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) Support Group.

@milld835

Thank you for this info. Yes I had the blood work done earlier this morning. The neurologist is referring me to an opthamologist. Fingers crossed. All the best to you as well.

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You're welcome. I hope it works out.

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On November 2,2021, when I was taken to emergency with so much pain I couldn’t move, my CRP measure was 74.3. By Nov.10 it was up to 152.8. With 50 mg. of prednisone and 75 mg. of Diclofenac-Misoprostol prescribed, it came down to 25 by Nov.17. Still working on finding the right balance.

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Has anyone else had lower ESR markers 35-40

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@stfocht

Has anyone else had lower ESR markers 35-40

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Yes, 35. I had all the symptoms but because my markers weren't really high my primary doctor was not comfortable making the diagnosis and putting me on prednisone. It looked like it would be a four month wait to see a rheumatologist but I developed symptoms that could be GCA, though were not, and was able to get in sooner.

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@stfocht

Has anyone else had lower ESR markers 35-40

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Hi @stfocht and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. According to Testing.com, If an ESR is abnormally high, it means that the red blood cells fell faster than expected. This usually happens when the RBCs have more protein within them, which causes them to stick together. Many conditions can cause an ESR to become elevated." --- Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) - Testing.com: https://www.testing.com/tests/erythrocyte-sedimentation-rate-esr/
Have you talked to your doctor yet?

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@amandaa

Hi @stfocht and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. According to Testing.com, If an ESR is abnormally high, it means that the red blood cells fell faster than expected. This usually happens when the RBCs have more protein within them, which causes them to stick together. Many conditions can cause an ESR to become elevated." --- Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) - Testing.com: https://www.testing.com/tests/erythrocyte-sedimentation-rate-esr/
Have you talked to your doctor yet?

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Yes and I have an appt. With a Rheumatologist in a few weeks. My Dr. Doesn't think it is PMR because if my ESR rate

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@stfocht

Yes and I have an appt. With a Rheumatologist in a few weeks. My Dr. Doesn't think it is PMR because if my ESR rate

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My rheumatologist said that not all people with PMR have very high CRP and ESR levels. Due to my symptoms and ESR of 35 he put me on prednisone and it started working within 6 hours. With all symptoms gone on prednisone he said he was quite sure I had PMR but still not 100% certainty. An ESR of 35 is considered high according to my lab sheet. Normal is 0-20. I guess most people with PMR have a much higher level. Of course you could have something else but I don't think an ESR of 35 rules out PMR.

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@stfocht

Yes and I have an appt. With a Rheumatologist in a few weeks. My Dr. Doesn't think it is PMR because if my ESR rate

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As many as 20% of people diagnosed with PMR have normal blood counts. My ESR and CRP were both in the normal range and I definitely have PMR. My initial dose of Prednisone (15mgs.) helped completely within days.

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I have had PMR diagnosed since July 2021. Started on 10 mg prednsone. Helped greatly overnight. However the accumulating side effects make it untenable (to me and my oncologist...I am in remission from pancreatic cancer for 6 years now). The type II diabetes is hugely escalated. I am on 3 insulins to control the steroid rise over a 12 hour period...then my usual insulin. I am on 5 mg prednisone...by my request. I had not been able to reduce below 7.5 mg prednisone with a LOT of pain but I decided to weather it to see if I could get OFF this drug. My BP meds have doubled in this period on steroids. I am in pain all the time but hoping for ability to be totally off steroids. I saw a new rheumatologist my oncologist sent me to yesterday. My sed rat has been rising. It is now >130 on 5 mg prednisone. CRP which is often okay went up to 5.2 mg/DL (ref range 0 -1). This new rheumy said absolutely NOT okay to drop the steroids further. She said such inflammation is not tenable to let run rampant. She may change me to methyprednisalone. And, or some steroid sparing drug with it. I have been totally resistant. Went on a keto diet 3 weeks ago. to reduce inflammation and to help lessen amount of insulin required. I am on 20 g carbs a day once in a while 30 but mostly between these numbers. I do NOT feel well at all. Apparently, I am usual. I have light chain disease (MGUS) a monoclonal gammopathy but multiple myeloma has been ruled out. I have lost 4 lbs in 3 weeks on the keto. Also using the diet for cancer prevention as I almost died of metastatic pancreatic cancer. Okay, I am looking for what in the world could cause the sed rate to go up to >130! They didn't give a number...maybe the scale was exceded and only goes that high. Thanks for whater thoughts anyone has.

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@microbe1943

I have had PMR diagnosed since July 2021. Started on 10 mg prednsone. Helped greatly overnight. However the accumulating side effects make it untenable (to me and my oncologist...I am in remission from pancreatic cancer for 6 years now). The type II diabetes is hugely escalated. I am on 3 insulins to control the steroid rise over a 12 hour period...then my usual insulin. I am on 5 mg prednisone...by my request. I had not been able to reduce below 7.5 mg prednisone with a LOT of pain but I decided to weather it to see if I could get OFF this drug. My BP meds have doubled in this period on steroids. I am in pain all the time but hoping for ability to be totally off steroids. I saw a new rheumatologist my oncologist sent me to yesterday. My sed rat has been rising. It is now >130 on 5 mg prednisone. CRP which is often okay went up to 5.2 mg/DL (ref range 0 -1). This new rheumy said absolutely NOT okay to drop the steroids further. She said such inflammation is not tenable to let run rampant. She may change me to methyprednisalone. And, or some steroid sparing drug with it. I have been totally resistant. Went on a keto diet 3 weeks ago. to reduce inflammation and to help lessen amount of insulin required. I am on 20 g carbs a day once in a while 30 but mostly between these numbers. I do NOT feel well at all. Apparently, I am usual. I have light chain disease (MGUS) a monoclonal gammopathy but multiple myeloma has been ruled out. I have lost 4 lbs in 3 weeks on the keto. Also using the diet for cancer prevention as I almost died of metastatic pancreatic cancer. Okay, I am looking for what in the world could cause the sed rate to go up to >130! They didn't give a number...maybe the scale was exceded and only goes that high. Thanks for whater thoughts anyone has.

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added clarification but not needed. I fixed typos above.

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