Controversial subjects don't have to be toxic. A "healthy debate" is a good thing. I still get a laugh when I think about a "self proclaimed PMR expert" and long term Prednisone user like me. I never identified myself as an expert and I still don't.

That person disagreed with everything even disputing my personal experience with Actemra. We actually had more in common when compared with our differences. I weathered that person's disagreement with me. The one time I "respectfully disagreed" --- the person translated that to mean I was being disrespectful. Go figure!

Whether or not you try Actemra is a personal choice. If you do ... I hope it works for you.

My adrenals were struggling but Actemra allowed me to stay on a 3 mg dose for a long time. My 7 mg dose was a huge hurdle to overcome. I suspect that was related to my adrenals because my fatigue was off the charts. My flares often occurred at 7 mg of prednisone. My cortisol level was low but that wasn't discovered until I was on 3 mg prednisone.

Apparently, cortisol levels aren't accurate until you reach a 3 mg dose of prednisone and then only if you can hold your prednisone dose for a couple of days. Even that is debatable but that's what my endocrinologist told me.