Prednisone to Kevzara back to Prednisone. ( Hope not )

Very excellent that you took this route. I should have done exactly that !!! I was in Vegas at the time helping daughter with Grandkids. 2 toddlers. Dr wouldn’t do the proper blood work ! Very poor treatment to a 72 year young patient of 8 years. I just made an appt., with Orthopedic Surgeon to take X-Rays of hips down to feet. Get the Steroid shots in both hips and be done with until I see new Dr in November. Thank you for your reply to me.

This support group has been great.
Prednisone is a miracle drug 4 days on it and every bit of pain is gone. As I previously wrote now I am on zero prednisone and kevzara. The weakness in my legs began a year ago when I was still on my 10 mg magic dose that caused my PMR pain to disappear and I had no inflammation on my blood test As I tried to get up from the floor I noticed it was harder and harder and I needed to hold on It was my rheumatologist who stated I might have prednisone myalgia
So now I have no idea what to do. I am giving it more time raising my legs. ( because now I have swollen ankles and painful knees ) and what I describe as gurgling in my thighs in the middle of the night Should I go to a cardiologist or a orthopedist or just pray that time will cure all wounds.
I listed to everyone on this thread and every time the go to a specialist for their specific painful body part the specialist finds something wrong. Opening up a Pandora’s box PS. Walking on flat surface for miles is no problem. So I don’t say know when asked to join most activities

I wish I could help with what your going thru. But I dont have any answers for you or heard of anyone with Corticosteroid myalgia. I know my wife from being on steroids for the last 4 years gets terrible swelling in her ankles. It does help to elevate. Her knees also pop and sound terrible. But I attribute most of hers to lack of movement. So I cant be very supportive. A cortisone shot helped my shoulder when I was trying to make diagnosis. but Ortho Dr said you can only do a couple of those before you damage the joint. I suspect like the last two mentioned an emergency call. Medicare is good about picking up those expenses. Here is what a google search revealed about myalgia./
"Additionally, physical therapy in the form of resistance and aerobic exercise has been shown in some studies to prevent and treat steroid-induced myopathy.[2][3] As such, a screening program for steroid-induced myopathy should be implemented in the appropriate patient population, and patients should be prescribed physical therapy as a preventive and treatment modality for this condition.[4]"?
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557731/

Welcome leenee72 to our little support group!
Have you thought about finding another PCP? One with more empathy who would refer you to the rheumatologist that you need?
Yes it could be PMR, but it could also be another inflammatory form of arthritis! You need someone who will do all the proper blood tests as well!
Because of your GAD diagnosis you are going to have that problem with doctors saying it’s all in your head!! All doctors are not the same, so don’t give up hope!! Most doctors are not going to prescribe prednisone without further testing or other indications that you need it, Prednisone and NSAIDS (ex. Motrin) are hard on the stomach so usually are not taken together. Pain relief creams are good (I like Aspercreme, original formula, NOT the lidocaine one) but they really only last for a few hours. I take Tylenol ES, 500 mg, rapid release capsules x2 for pain (not an anti inflammatory) which works ok, but the prednisone is really what will give you good pain relief! Please find a good doctor who will do right by you—I believe you can get referrals through the Mayo Clinic.
Good luck on your medical journey!

I think you should try not to be afraid and try to follow your doctors instructions and see what happens.
If you have pain that is unbearable then I would notify your doctor at once, but I think you will be fine!🙂

@tadatada1
Maybe try what the doctor wants you to do first. He needs to see how your labs are doing before he continues on this course of treatment—very important!

Thank you very much for your advice. Yes I already have a new Female Internest lined up, I see her November. June 13 I had an Orthopedic Surgeon, which I found on my own, injected each shoulder with a shot of Cortisone Steroid. The relief was amazing. In 3 weeks he’s doing my hips, as inflammation runs down my legs, etc. yes I do agree on the issues of Prednisone. Very hard on organs. I’m trying to stay away from them at this point. Recently, February, had a slight heart attack. 72 and daughter expecting me to help with her toddlers. 3 Dr’s told me to get out of that house if I’d kill myself. Put in BP Pills the next morning, left house. We are retired !!! Trying to enjoy our last years, live in our Motorhome, travel park to park every 3 weeks. Currently on the OR WA Coast until October. We’ll head back to Southern NV and Southern CA.
I agree with all you stated. Also Insomnia so bad, 1 if the dude effects of PMR, don’t sleep at all. Tried Benedetto, Tylenol PM. No luck, have to be careful as the BP medication. High BO is also a side effect of PMR. Yes I need the proper Blood Work. Had a Rheumatologist who was worthless. Up here where we are there isn’t one for 300 miles. So the Orthopedic Surgeon will help get me through to my new Physician.
Very Davy with “ the drug issue” as unfortunately I used H 50 years ago, fir 1 year, came down with Hep C which I had 46 years until Harvoni & Riboviron Treatment in 2017, cleared me up ! CLEAN. But not proud of ny poor choices years ago. Liver has Rejunivated. Watched a Documentary regarding women have Women Physicians, as they have Compassion, listen to our issues, and Empathy. We stand a chance of living 7 years longer. Lost our son, forever 23, 13 years ago. The Unimaginable ~ has taken a toll on me. Retired, on a fixed income, so I lifestyle moving around us hard at this time. Feel Blessed I found the Orthopedic Surgeon, who treated me. Growing old has its challenges for sure. God Bless all on Mayo Connect. awesome

My so called DR could care less about my issues. Exactly why I’ve had to do my own research. March had our annual visit. Urine sample was sent out for culture. Never called me to tell me results. July 5th, passed out at RV Park, hubby called 911. Arrived within 5 minutes. Treated me. Dehydrated! I was not drinking enough water, EMT also suggested LIQUID IV in one bottle a day. 5 days later I had VIRTUAL CALL WITH “ DR”. Told him what happened. He looked at my chart, “ hum Dehydration” … “ you have an UTI !!! I was livid. 4 months walking around with this and they NEVER CALKED ME WITH AN ANTIBIOTIC? VERY NEGLECTED ! On the Topical you mentioned, I read the label on it last year when this all started. But not good if one has had Liver issues. I make my own topical with an Indica Flower which works amazing. My so called “ DR” is burnt off with his Practice. Deals with the Elderly, getting ready to leave his Practice. Keeps “ loosing my Blood Work X-Rays of Chest, etc. No excuse for a mismanaged office. Lucky to be alive. I could have gotten SEPTIS from that UTI not being informed. No excuses here. Very familiar with MAYO as they saved hubby’s life back in 1980.
I went through my Hep C Treatment with Loma Linda Medical Hospital in So.CA. Mayo does not have any Facilities on the West Coast. I also have totally changed my diet, no Inflammatory foods.
I do not have a weight issue at all. Similar as The Mediterranean Duet. Followed several “ Dr’s” on Instagram for a short time. Just getting advice on diets, etc. Thank you for “ caring” , Leenee

Thanks for your positive post. I am starting Kevzara tomorrow and am praying it works.

Good Bio. I enjoyed getting to know you. thanks for sharing. I am 72. Not getting any easier. When I was getting diagnosed I made 3 different visits to orthopedic Dr. thinking they were missing something. The last one was pretty good. He ordered the MRI and told me he thought I had an auto immune disease to see a Rheumatologist. He gave me a cortisone shot in both shoulders and it did help for about 2 weeks. But he told me that he would only give me one shot. He said the shots can deteriorate the joint. I had a small slap tear in the right shoulder. He said that he would do the stem cell injections for $400 shot but no more cortisone. Just FYI. I got a laugh out of taking care of your body when younger. We came out of the 60's. My wife got hepatitis B from smoking a joint with her girlfriends. I had to get the shots. I never caught it. I wasnt much of pot smoker. But I did my fair share of drinking. I dont do anything anymore.