Elevated CPR and rash

Bones, joints and muscles
1

Hi all,

Had surgery a few weeks ago and of course my CPR has almost doubled but now am experiencing upper torso rash.  If I itch an area it will get welts or small bumps.  Really don't want to up prednisone since I am still healing (surgeon wanted me off prednisone completely but I stayed on my dose of 5 1/2 mg.) 

Anyone out there had this issue of rash and what you did?

Thanks in advance

2

Hi Poupe...I've not had a rash, but I DO tend to be always itching and scratching like Crazy! I'm not sure what that's all about, but it's extremely annoying! I even took some Benadryl the other night and it didn't do a thing!

3

Are you on antibiotics or recently completed a course?  Sounds very like an allergic reaction to something. Antihistamine may help if it is. Otherwise dermatology review may be required if it dosent settle.

4

Also my understanding is that stress/trauma/surgery may need a temporary increase in steroid dose to cover it. Certainly not the time to reduce. Hard to understand the surgeon not aware of this.

5

The only time I had anything similar it was a reaction to penicillin. The hospital upped my pred from around 8, as it was at the time, to 20 for 1 week, then instructed to return to 8 and continue reduction. 

I think I'd check with either the hospital where you had your surgery or else your GP. 

6

I had hip surgery and my surgeon wanted me on zero pred, I negotiated 5mg. My CRP was 35, after the surgery it went up to 415. So they upped my pred to 10mg and kept me in hospital for two extra days which was a bit of a pain. I did not get a rash but other things from all the different drugs I was on. Were you given any extra tablets?

7

Sure it isn't shingles?

8

Not sure this is the same but you are making me think! Went on Pred 3 years ago and had an all over rash ( not  my face) as I got back from holiday at end of August. It  lasted about 10 days. 

I resorted to all sorts of creams convinced that I had picked up something from cheap

Motorway hotel on the way back

Through France. 

The next year both my forearms reacted with intense itching that lasted from Sept to Dec. Couldn’t sleep the only help were ice packs administered during the night. GP said he hadn’t heard of it and gave me paraffinnpil as my skin looked dry. 

This year only one forearm and not so intense. 

Do we have to chalk this down to another side effect of Pred? 

Hope you get some relief soon.