I'm in awe with biologics in general. I remember being on a forum for people with spondyloarthritis. After PMR was diagnosed, my medical problems included a "history of reactive arthritis" as if it wasn't a factor anymore. My primary diagnosis was PMR and I was treated appropriately or not with prednisone.

People on the spondyloarthritis forum were all on Remicade or another TNF inhibitor and they weren't impressed that my treatment was prednisone. I was being told that prednisone was the "only option" for PMR.

I have come to the conclusion that a diagnosis of PMR, spondyloarthritis, RA or any of the many autoimmune disorders dictates what treatment you receive. Targeting the inflammation pathway rather than a diagnosis makes more sense to me. A diagnosis is often wrong. Even when it is correct, there might be other treatment options to prednisone if someone is willing to try them. The problem with prednisone --- the longer prednisone is used, the more difficult it becomes to taper off. As long as prednisone is considered to be the "only option" things aren't likely to improve very quickly.

Historically, people with RA paved the way for biologic treatments for other autoimmune disorders. PMR/GCA were autoimmune disorders that were left behind as far as treatment options are concerned.