Thank-you for asking ... I'm doing well.

I'm still a chronic rheumatology patient that is now being treated with Actemra. I would say I'm definitely better overall and getting better compared to when I was on Prednisone. I'm still being treated. On my list of medical problems it says "long term current use of Actemra (tocilizumab)" instead of prednisone.

Nothing for pain is listed on my medication list. My rheumatologist usually asks me if I need anything for pain and has told me Actemra is not a pain medication. Apparently Actemra is specifically for inflammation and not for pain.

My 1-10 pain scale is more like a volume knob. A 10 is max volume and too loud. A 0 is no volume and I can't hear anything.

A comfortable volume can be anywhere in the 3 to 7 range depending on how focused I am. There is nothing that sounds too loud to me When I'm more focused on something it might seem to be a bit louder. Generally it is about a "5" in the middle of the comfortable range.

I sleep well most nights, There nothing that keeps me awake or wakes me up too early.

I still have an active prescription for prednisone "as needed." My rheumatologist is aware of the problems I have. I don't want to be diagnosed with anything else. I'm okay with what I have.

At my last rheumatology visit we discussed the interval between my Actemra. My rhematologist said 7 weeks between infusions was too long.

As I was leaving my rheumatologist reminded me to take some Prednisone if I needed it. I don't think I need prednisone.