How often for blood tests??

Bones, joints and muscles
1

Other than feeling ill/flare, is it recommended to have blood tests at any regular times?  I`m under my doctor, which I prefer...can`t "work" with my Rheumy...but struggling with fatigue to get under 11mg....wonder if I should have  blood tests more often....probably had one a year ago.  Have had PMR 4 years now...(started on 15mg)  Thank you for any advice...

2

It depends where you live.  My doctor wanted blood tests every week when I started with PMR (four years ago), gradually reducing to once a fortnight, then once a month.  He still expects me to have a test once a month.  If you live in the UK I believe they do not check so often.

3

I have them done monthly. Always have. I live in the US so I don't know if that helps.

4

At first it was once a month then every three months then once a year when I had my long term medical assessment.Mind you if I thought I was having a flare they did one straight away and the cycle renewed.Off pred now (side effects)and on methotrexate injections so have to have monthly blood tests because of that.ESR has gone up this time but GP thinks I have tendonitis so am waiting for physiotherapy to be in touch.Oh what a wonderful life we have forever full of inflammation ☺

5

I forgot to mention that the reason for my monthly tests was to measure the inflammatory markers and to adjust the pred dosage accordingly.

6

I know I had 3-monthly bloods done at the beginning, but in my case it proved to be a fruitless pursuit as I have never had raised inflammation markers.

I think a lot of us do ask for bloods to be done if we are feeling worse (than usual) and if you do have raised markers it is a good guide under those circumstances.  Just need to remember that the markers will climb for any inflammation, so not necessarily PMR.

Fatigue I/we know all about and other than going with the flow and there is nothing much to be done about it.  For those of us who are retired it must be easier just to down tools and take a nap, but when you are working it is a whole different scenario.

I don't know where you are, but can you not ask for another referral to a different Rheumy?   To still be at 11mg after 4 years needs a bit more investigation I think.

7

I know steroids can have bad side effects BUT I'm 74 and if all I can do is set in my recliner in pain just so I can live another 5 years .. that's not for me .. jump those steroids back up to the point where I can walk talk and enjoy life .. I'll handle what comes later as I've handled all before .. it is my life to live or not

8

Hi Lnda,

I have been told by my gp if I think I can feel a flare up coming on I have to have a blood test straight away and make an  immediate appointment to see her, hope this helps.

9

Hi Jeanne,  I'm up in years too, and I completeliy agree with you--life is to live, not to exist all crippled and stiffened up in pain.  I'll accept the side effects of pred (so many!)  and face what's to come later!

10

I started off weekly, then monthly, I now have them three monthly. I decide when I want them and tend to get a blood test when I feel I need to check everything is OK for reducing. Blood tests show the inflammation in my case, if they did not I suppose I would only get things like full blood count, glucose etc done less often. 

11

Hi Linda, I live in the UK and for quite a long time I was having monthly blood tests.

Now after 6 years its about every 3 months. Just had another flare was on 1,5mg but up to 7mg now, not feeling great but hopeful I will get back to "normal" soon.

12

Blood tests measure your inflammation markers. If you are struggling, I recommend a blood test (ESR). If your doctor recognizes higher inflammation markers in the results he/she will probably suggest an increase in your steroid (Pred?) intake for a period and then begin reduction again.

13

You betcha

14

Hi Linda17563

I am in Canada and I was diagionsed with G C A in Nov 2015 and since I have been taking Preds. He has me in for blood test every 4 weeks duing this time my blood work has been within normal specs.

15

Hi Flydog, what a wonderful, caring GP. I have not seen my GP since October 2014 although I have talked to her on the phone since then, if my blood markers are up. 

16

Another question .. does anyone else have this problem .. the souls/bottom of my feet feel numb in spots .. it is a weird feeling .. is it related to the PMR

17

Thank you everyone for the replies on here...

I am retired thank goodness....I did after first 18months get down to 5mg, then got very bad double/blurred vision....so was put up to 15mg again....have struggled to drop since splitting the dose halped the vision problem, on Eileen`s advice....Have tried doing 0.5mg drop every few weeks, but even that affects me...I am drained all the time, and then fatigued as well, with no option but to sleep!..I  was bullied by Rheumy last visit....and threatened with methotrexate. she said don`t come back till you`re down to 5mg!...so going to just visit doctor instead....will now make appointment and have blood test....something else may be going on...there is a thyroid problem in my family, but I always get told "normal"......I hate that word  Thanks again for all replies...

18

Quite agree....

19

I'm sorry .. but I'd drop that RA like a hot potato and find another one .. her name doesn't happen to be Clouse does it ..

20

No.....won`t say the name on here though...others may have her....once when I was describing the pain, she said be quiet and listen to me....can`t print what I said under my breath!!.......