I have been on Actemra for more than 4 years. I haven't had any serious side effects from Actemra. I was able to discontinue prednisone in one year after starting Actemra. I "progressed" from doing injections every two weeks at first and then I did weekly injections. I have done monthly infusions for the past year.

My symptoms return whenever Actemra is stopped so my rheumatologist doesn't plan on stopping Actemra anytime soon. I do well on Actemra and my overall quality of life has greatly improved since I discontinued Prednisone. The side effects of prednisone might have caused one medical complication after another.

I took Prednisone for 12 years for PMR before Actemra was tried. I had an inordinate number of medical problems during those 12 years.