Do CPR and SED rate numbers correspond to pain levels?

You probably did benefit from prompt diagnosis. You might achieve better
symptom and pain control with a higher dose for a time. Lab markers don’t
always go along with how you are feeling but important that you track them.
Since you could possibly need steroids for some time be proactive in avoiding
side effects. Self monitoring BP and glucose are easy at home.
Consider a baseline bone density and eye exam. We have known systemic inflammation which can affect our blood vessels so it is good to minimize
heart risk factors and consider diet modifications. Good to have a PCP
you can count on. I always took prednisone with an early meal and also
took Vitamin D and a calcium antacid in the evening.

My CRP and ESR levels correlated well to my pain level. That isn’t always the case.

My inflammation markers tracked my pain so well, my doctors stopped checking my ESR and CRP. They took my word for it when I said the pain was too much.

I’m on Actemra currently. They say inflammation markers aren’t reliable when a person is on Actemra. I’m off prednisone.

As per protocol for people on Actemra, my inflammation markers are checked more often. My CRP is negligible and so is my pain.

Thank you for your response. My internist had me immediately make an appointment with an ophthalmologist. All good there, at least for now. I have a bone density scan scheduled in a few weeks and have been trying to increase the amount of calcium I eat, and am also taking some by viactiv chews. I have been monitoring my blood pressure from time to time, but not my glucose levels. I had been on a statin previously; however, I stopped taking it because I initially thought the my pain could be caused from the statin. I’m hesitant to go back on a statin because it seems that some people in this group have had some major pain flare ups when they started taking the statin again.
Again, thank you for your response. I really appreciate all of the information you and others in this group provide

@mm, you may also be interested in this similar discussion where @aliceoleary asked similar questions:
- CRP and SED levels: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/crp-and-sed-levels/

My CRP levels closely mimic'd my pain levels but the SED rate trailed unril I was in remission

Thank you for the information. I appreciate it!

I've had Pmr for 4 years taking prednisone for pain how large of tabled is safe I'm on 20 MG a day.

I think that's a lot for a long time but maybe it's warranted. Are your SED rates down? I started tapering slowly after the first month ( minus 1/2 pill for 2 weeks and then another little step down for 2 weeks, etc.) and the discomfort isn't bad. I changed my diet (anti-inflammatory) and do water walking. If the pain comes back I am going to try something from my naturopath/herbalist to see if I can't find a healthy route to continue weaning off prednisone.

Thank you for that information. I am wondering what dose of prednisone you are on and also how long you've been taking it. I also worry about the side effects

I was diagnosed with PMR and possible GCA in late July 2024. I started on 60 mg. of Prednisone. Took that dosage for about 6 weeks, then started tapering down. I got down to 8 mg. the end of November 2024. I was still having joint aches and headaches. I decided to hold at 8 mg. rather than continue the taper. In late December, I had a full on flare. All my original symptoms returned, including the GCA symptoms (which had been non-existant for about 3 months). I went back up to 13 mg. the beginning of January 2025. Throughout my PMR journey, I've kept in close contact with my rheumatologist PA. Her 'assistant' is available via text. I can text a question or concern and usually hear back the same day or next morning. Her instructions for my taper include "as tolerated". I tell her where I'm at in my taper and if I am modifying it. I've learned a lot from the wonderful people in this forum and I feel empowered to control my health decisions.

After the 'holiday' flare, I told my rheumatologist PA that I wanted to start Actemra infusions. Since, I was having GCA symptoms and my inflammatory markers were high again, she had no problem ordering the infusions. She did mention that I'd 'only' been on Prednisone for 5 months. I wasn't about to enter a long relationship with Prednisone, if there were options available to lower the dosage or eliminate it completely. I did not want to get into a cycle of tapering and then having to increase the dosage to treat a flare, only to start all over again with tapering. I've read, where it happens often to PMR patients. I didn't want to be one of those people. I was a very active 69 yo before PMR. I was always operating at 110 mph. PMR knocked me down to 20 mph.

I've had my second Actemra infusion. Two weeks after the first one, I started feeling better. I did not have that constant feeling of malaise and fatigue. I am aware of the potential side effects from Actemra, but I have had enough side effects from the Prednisone, that I can count them on two hands. I haven't had a bone density, yet, to see what it's done to my bones. I'll take my chances with Actemra, knowing that there's a very good chance that I will be able to eliminate Prednisone in my life.