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hi ? about prendisone and test accuracy

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Posted 4/7/2011 7:29 AM (GMT 0)
If you are on prendisone and you have your tests done like your ana and sed rate and all of the others are they as accurate as if you are off of it? Especially if you are in a flare? I just wondered ..maybe this is kind of a dumb question because the meds are to keep the sed rate down... but does that only mask the flare... idk just a thought.

wishing all of you good days.
fern
Posted 4/7/2011 1:02 PM (GMT 0)
Prednisone is to keep the inflammation down. When the inflammation goes down sometimes, but not always, the ana & sed rate will go down.

Prednisone does not address the ana & sed rate directly.

Also, there is quite often NO correlation between ana and how you feel (ie how your symptoms are).

This is NOT a linear reasonable, predictable disease. Lupus is more like a Wildfire. Sometimes it'll jump the firebreak, sometimes it won't sometimes it's with the wind, sometimes it isn't.....clearly unpredictable.

Symptoms are the measure more so than any lab tests will ever be.
Posted 4/7/2011 1:29 PM (GMT 0)

Hi!

You know, I asked my rheumy that very same question! And felt he gave me a bogus answer, saying yes it can and no it won't almost in the same breath! So I just gave him a "look," and said it seemed counterintuitive to me! tongue (I think drs. hate to have nurses as patients as much as we don't like to have drs. as patients). If all those tests measure inflammation, and prednisone suppresses inflammation............ ain't lupus fun?

suetoo

Posted 4/7/2011 6:49 PM (GMT 0)
Prednisone not only treats inflammation, it suppresses your immune system activity. It can weaken your immune system, so anything having the capability of doing that has the capability of making you feel better by making your immune system funtion more normally, not masking the problem. The problem will never go away, but it can be controlled with these medications. If a medication can weaken your immune system, it can make your antibody levels drop. If the medication is not working, and you are in a bad flare, and it has been like this for awhile, your test results should show it.

 

Posted 4/7/2011 7:48 PM (GMT 0)
I have been down for about three weeks feeling overly crappy, taking no prendisone. yesterday i decided i was going to take a medrol pack, my daughter is visiting from out of state. i hate being on steriods because it affects my sugar (diabetes) but my highest number was a 254 fasting on 40 mg of prendisone. so my reg dr. was on vacation so i saw the other one who i see sometimes and he put me on a drug i give myself a shot everyday it is to help me lose weight, we talked about taking provigil but it is expensive and it basically a bandaid.. you know to keep me awake. does nothing for pain. but i decided to do the weight thing... seems more productive. i have lost 25 since jan on my own and if i can lose more well that has to be easier on joints and such. when i went yesterday he said what are you here for today.. and i said..
i just want someone to tell me what to do.. i am to tired to make any more decisions.lol thanks flares can't last forever right?
hugs to all and hope you all have a really good day.

fern.. lupus no rhyme or reason
Posted 4/7/2011 8:12 PM (GMT 0)
Prednisone suppresses the immune system - true.
Prednisone weakens your immune system - FALSE

Prednsione helps lower inflammation - true.
Antibody levels measure inflammation - true.

Prednisone makes inflammation levels drop - FALSE.

Our bodies do not follow logic, there are many, many other things affecting the immune system and the inflammation response that may or may not have anything to due with Prednisone.

Remember there are no professionals here, we are all (or are all supposed to be) people who are suffering from Lupus or suspected lupus. Anything you read is strictly the opinion of the poster.
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