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← Return to Prednisone to Kevzara
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Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) | Last Active: Jun 18 11:39am | Replies (31)
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I do feel better but have only been on Kevzara for 2 weeks. My rheumatologist said that it will take at least 2 weeks to feel an effect. I need to wait 6 weeks before tapering the prednisone from my present 6 mg by .5 mg every 3 weeks. At 3 months I get labs done to see if I have any of the side effects that show up in labs like high liver enzymes and low white cells.
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I didn't really feel any different for 3 months when I started Actemra injections every 2 weeks. I did my usual 1 mg per month taper until I reached 7 mg. It was like a minor miracle that I didn't have a flare when I was on 7 mg. I decided to taper by 1 mg per week just to get the "inevitable flare" over with. When I tapered by 1 mg per week to 3 mg and I didn't have a PMR flare. I felt unwell but no PMR pain.
I contacted my rheumatologist because of not feeling well so he checked my cortisol level. My cortisol level was low so I was told to not taper any lower until I could be evaluated by an endocrinologist. I waited six months on 3 mg of prednisone until my cortisol level improved. My endocrinologist gave me the green light to discontinue prednisone.
In three months when your labs are checked maybe they could add an a.m. cortisol level.
Kevzara injections are weekly so maybe your PMR symptoms will respond faster. However, be aware of the adrenal issue on those lower doses of prednisone.