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New to PMR - Are Monthly Labs and Check-ups normal?
Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) | Last Active: Aug 11, 2023 | Replies (71)Comment receiving replies
Hi there-how often does your doctor order blood test to see where you’re at for inflammation?
And do you know exactly what blood test he orders?
Thank you! We have just started meds and supplements this last month. I don’t know what to expect-will my husband go to his doctor like once every three months or what for routine maintenance check ups?
Replies to "Hi there-how often does your doctor order blood test to see where you’re at for inflammation?..."
Hi @ctipmarie, my Rheumatologist put me on 40 mg of prednisone for Giant Cell Arteritis to start. After a year and a half, I tapered off it completely (that was a few months ago). While being treated, I saw him every three months and had a monthly CRP test to measure inflammation. If anything unusual happened I contacted him by email, but my taper was pretty smooth. I wish you both the best!
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Hi @ctjpmarie, After being diagnosed with PMR, my rheumatologist started me on 20 mg of prednisone and my primary care doc took over. Then I only had a blood test yearly to see how I was doing with inflammation as the prednisone pretty much handled the inflammation and pain for me. You will notice that we moved your post to an existing discussion on the same topic here so that you can read what others have shared about blood tests after being diagnosed.
-- New to PMR - Are Monthly Labs and Check-ups normal?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/doctor-schedule/
Others have a different experience but I would expect it may depend on how well your husband does with his current treatment. Do you mind sharing what dosage your husband was started on and if the doctor discussed a plan for tapering off the meds?