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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.

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John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Apr 1, 2022
In reply to @microbe1943 "I have had PMR diagnosed since July 2021. Started on 10 mg prednsone. Helped greatly overnight...." + (show)
Profile picture for microbe1943 @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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Hi @microbe1943, You will notice that we merged your post into an existing discussion on the same topic so that you can learn what other members have shared. You might also be interested in the following article that talks about the test and what the results mean.

ESR (Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate): Testing, Levels & More: https://www.healthline.com/health/esr

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pah17 | @pah17 | Feb 10 10:11am
In reply to @milld835 "He agreed that I should be checkout for GCA and I will be possibly going to..." + (show)
Profile picture for milld835 @milld835

He agreed that I should be checkout for GCA and I will be possibly going to opthamologist for biopsy. It believe it's my ears though; he would rather find out it's nothing than wait and find out it's something. His words and I agree. Also, he's trying to expedite my referral to the rheumatologist. My doctor right now is a neurologist. My family doctor has retired. He's very thorough and I like him a lot. Thanks John.

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@milld835 Since it's four years later, you may not be following this site any more. But if you come upon this, I'd love to hear how things worked out for you. I'm new to the game.
GCA scares me. I've been feeling pressure in my ears since being diagnosed with PMR. I've been chalking it up to the Prednisone thinking that may be making me clench more than I realize.

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