PMR AND CRP QUESTION

Good that you are on top of your lab results.
CRP represents systemic inflammation that correlates
with the cytokines causing symptoms and affecting
many functions of the immune system.
The new combination meds are likely working in your
favor. Hope your symptoms respond to the reduction
in inflammation soon.

My CRP went from 60 to 15 after 3 weeks on methotrexate + 40 mg daily prednisone (previously just on 30 mg prednisone. However, I'm not sure if it was the methotrexate or the higher dose of prednisone. PMR is a total mystery

With luck you’re going into remission. When I was first diagnosed my CRP was 76. My doctor prescribed 15mg of prednisone for 4 weeks to be followed by a moderate taper. I returned for blood work after 4 weeks and my CRP was 1.

It took me 17 months to taper from 15 mg to zero. I reached zero on February 1st last year. My CRP stayed between 1 and 3 through the entire process. I’m happy to say it has remained in the normal range since then. My fingers are crossed that this is what is finally happening for you.

Thanks so much for your encouraging words …fingers crossed

Thanks so much . I hope this is the beginning of the end

How often should CRP be tested? Something I have wondered about. I am about 6 month on prednisone now just reduced to 5mg today. I got down to 5 once before but my symptoms flared up and I hiked back up to 8 and have crept back to 5. I am 65 try to stay active and noticeable stiffness in some fingers along with my leg muscles get too weak after a couple hours to keep dancing which is a central activity for me.

My last CRP a couple months back was 14.

Cheers to all us sufferers.

I was referred to a rheumatologist after my GP diagnosed me and started me on prednisone. It took a couple of months to get in to see the rheumatologist. He wanted blood work every 3 months.

I currently have monthly tests for CRP.

My Rheumy does run blood work but consistently says she treats based on symptoms not on lab results. My CRP has been as high as 100 as well as below 5. Currently it is around 15. I am not taking any meds for PMR right now. I have a few symptoms just not many.

Edit: In reply to @jabrown0407
I recall reading somewhere that the PMR treatment guidelines advise to treat symptoms rather than inflammation. My CRP was elevated last year when I was feeling good and my doctor asked if I'd had an infection like a cold, which I hadn't. So we both shrugged and ignored the CRP. Next time the sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein blood tests were both normal. An infection of something else can raise CRP and the cause may not be found. I guess that's why the symptoms are treated by a lot of doctors moreso than medicating for moderate inflammation if it causes no PMR symptoms.