Crp

[Lulu]

Hi, with all this stuff being relatively new to me I was hoping someone could explain what a normal CRP reading is.
Latest from gasto said that my CRP was elevated at 20 but a month before that a different doctor said my CRP was within normal range at 18. Is a reading of 20 considered high?

Also a reading from a few months prior when I was sick said my CRP was 266. Surely this must be using a different type of scale or could my CRP go from 266 down to 20?

I dont get to see my specialist for a couple more months so thought someone here might be able to shed some light on it for me.

 

[bindi]

heya! i have blood tests every 6-8 weeks and i ask him for the results every time and he's happy to give them to me. when i had tonsilites my crp went up to like 250. i was on prednisone for a few weeks and it dropped it from 40ish to 4 in a matter of weeks. sometimes i feel fine though but my crp is still up. i got so excited when my last blood test came in and it was normal lol.

bindi

 

[Lulu]

Thanks for the replies. I am currently having weekly blood tests and am hoping my CRP will be down.

My specialist is a 4 hour plane flight away so I dont get to see him too often but was reading the result of his letter where he states my CRP is elevated at 20. Just seems strange that GP wrote my CRP was relatively normal at 18 back in November so was wondering what was considered normal.

When the CRP was really high (over 200) was when I had the abscess so makes sense that it has dropped drastically since then but my bowel is currently very inflammed so I would think 20 is elevated and not normal as per GP.

I will have a list of questions next time I see the specialist but at this stage I dont think it is until about May. I assume my blood test results are being sent to him in the mean time and he will advise whether the Imuran is working or not.

 

[3132757]

Hey Lulu,

Like you said, writing a list of questions down before you head over there would be ideal to make the visit count. If he tries to convince you that a CRP of 20 is normal, it might be worthwhile giving him some proven material that states otherwise.

Where abouts are you in Aus ? You cant find a specialist closer by ?

F

 

[bindi's mum]

if you are in the defence force you will get the best treatment possible,are there no good specialists in darwin?if not ,wont they transfer you to townsville?have you got any family in darwin?it must be tough being so far away from family when you are sick.hope things get better for you. karen

 

[Lulu]

Thanks Karen. No gastro specialists at all in Darwin. I am being monitored by a surgeon in consultation with my specialist in Brisbane. Supposed to fly back to Bris every 3 months I think. As the specialist said, there have been way too many doctors involved in my care. Apart from him in Bris, the surgeon in Darwin, I also had an op in Rockhampton as I became sick while on exercise. Was flown to Bris by flying doctor as I became very sick. Was treated initially in Bris by infectious diseases specialist as they suspected I had picked up a parasite in PNG. No wonder it took so long to get a proper diagnosis. Wasnt until I had the pill cam in Dec that specialist suggest Imuran only he wouldnt prescribe it as I wasnt living local and he couldnt monitor me.

Defence has been great as far as paying for everything, flying me down for appointments and giving me time off to recover after surgery etc. Just not sure how much longer they will do this for. I dont know anyone who has been able to stay in with Crohn's so just waiting to see what will happen with me.

I am trying for a posting back to Bris but it's not as easy as you would think, so much red tape. Long story......

No family in Darwin, they are all in Bris although I was lucky dad flew up to Rocky when I was sick there and again to Darwin when I had the op there and mum has also flown up a couple of times but not easy being away from family.

Think I go back to see the surgeon this week so will see what he has to say. So far no bad effects from the Imuran so think he will increase the dose if the blood results are all good.