← Return to Clinical VS Instincts

Discussion

Clinical VS Instincts

Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) | Last Active: May 7 11:09am | Replies (5)

Comment receiving replies
@stevieb

Thank You!
What is the "biologic" you spoke of?
I am taking a "tonic" by a very reputable Chinese medicinal herb specialist, who does have a working knowledge of Prednisone reduction. But it is a help I believe but I'm still having difficulty at the 6 - 5.5 mg level.
I have now come to a different perspective on reducing/increasing Prednisone based on "how I'm doing".
I don't flare as badly from physical stress, as much these days from mental or emotional stress.... Which is interesting because I've considered myself historically a very calm person. I'm quite sure the PMR has me much more susceptible to that sort of stress.

So .... my goal in trying to reduce the Prednisone, is not to be as reactive after the fact to stress. As that dose goes up and down in response to streses, I'm not sure it trains my body towards that goal, .... as much as using other tools to deal with mental and emotional stress.
I'm happy to detail what that is, but I think that is so personal to different folk's experiences and beliefs, they are better off discovering it themselves, or going to a resource in the form of a person or document, they trust.

Jump to this post


Replies to "Thank You! What is the "biologic" you spoke of? I am taking a "tonic" by a..."

I was given a biologic medication called Actemra (tocilizumab). It blocked the IL-6 inflammation pathway implicated in both PMR and GCA. Actemra seemed to control my PMR symptoms.

The added bonus was --- Actemra didn't prevent my adrenals from producing more cortisol. Actemra doesn't stimulate adrenal function. However, Actemra didn't suppress my adrenal function like prednisone did.