"What was the turning point that made you use a biologic?"

I didn't want to take Actemra. I was listening to the negatives more than the positives. I was interested in trying a biologic but I didn't know which one. I wanted prednisone in the beginning but that changed over time. I was getting frustrated with my rheumatologist because I wanted to be off prednisone. I somewhat accused my rheumatologist that she only prescribed prednisone to me because she thought it was what I originally wanted. I actually messaged my primary care doctor tactfully complaining that I was stuck with being on prednisone for the rest of my life. My primary doctor forwarded my concerns to my rheumatologist.

My rheumatologist thought I needed prednisone for PMR for a few years but she never wanted me to be on prednisone for 12 years. At the time, Actemra had been recently FDA approved for GCA but not PMR. My rheumatologist thought Actemra might be my "best chance" of ever getting off prednisone. My rheumatologist needed to do extra work to get Actemra approved. for me. I felt obligated to try Actemra because of all the trouble I was causing.

I wasn't so sure Actemra would work. I only tried Actemra to "get it over with so I could move on." I was full of pessimism and I didn't think Actemra would work to be completely honest. I just tried Actemra to prove to my rheumatologist that Actemra wouldn't work!

When Actemra worked ... I asked how my rheumatologist knew. My rheumatologist said it was a lucky guess. My guess was completely wrong. I now say their guess was better than mine because they knew more than me.