My dr has told me she would like me to use methotrexate or kevzara as well. I am very hesitant on going that route as well. She had dropped the idea back in May (which relieved me from the anxiety of a decision) but now has brought it back. Very uncertain of what I should do.

Kevzara and Actemra are new biologics that insurance may cover. Usually if you have tried methotrexate first. That might be old information. The biologics inhibit the IL-6 marker that they have determined to be active in PMR. Methotrexate is older cheaper RA drug. None of these drugs work on helping to restart your cortisol. They simply try to keep the inflammation down or a PMR restart while you are tapering. They can take up to a couple of months to start working. They are usually prescribed with steroids as opposed to either or. Once you are off prednisone you can generally stop taking Kevzara. About 5 ml is your daily requirement of cortisol that is being supplied by prednisone. After 8 years you are going to have a very difficult time to taper below. You may also need an endocrinologist on your team. Adrenal insufficiency is going to be your challenge. Your flares are going to be from AI more than PMR. They can restart PMR. So the Kevzara may not help. Many it does not. If you look at the black box warnings on prednisone those are not any better and you have taken for 8 years. I would say some risk is worth it. Dadcue on this site was has been on and off steroids most of his life. He used Actemra and was finally able to stop. Your risk will be they move you to hydrocortisone as a maintenance dose the rest of your life. Prednisone is not your friend. More like an invited house guest that wont leave.