← Return to Any Tips For Tapering Off Prednisone?

Discussion

Any Tips For Tapering Off Prednisone?

Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) | Last Active: Sep 5 9:44am | Replies (79)
Comment receiving replies
@hopeinal

I currently don't have a rheumatologist as mine moved back to Florida in May. The only other practice anywhere close to me can't see me until October. I'm having some vision problems that I'm hoping are just age related and a simple matter of bifocals. Not, hopefully, GCA. Before he left, my rheumie talked about starting me on Kevzara. I have my 3 month checkup with my PCP next week and an appointment with an ophthamologist. Planning to ask my PCP about a scrip for Kevzara. My side effects with the Pred are honestly awful which it sounds like you can relate to. Thanks so much for your valuable input!

Jump to this post

Replies to "I currently don't have a rheumatologist as mine moved back to Florida in May. The only..."
DadCue | @dadcue | Aug 26 3:29pm

I currently do a monthly infusion of Actemra but I used to do Actemra injections. My rheumatologist has total control of my infusion dose of Actemra which is fine with me.

Kevzara and Actemra are different medications but the way they work is basically the same. I'm not sure a PCP can prescribe Kevzara. I once asked my PCP a question about Actemra. He said biologics are "out of his league" so I would need to ask my question to my rheumatologist to get the right answer.

Actemra is FDA approved for GCA. I suspect an ophthalmologist could prescribe Actemra for GCA or the possibility of GCA. I'm not sure how that would work.

I have a different autoimmune problem with my eyes. My ophthalmologist says Actemra isn't optimal for my eye condition. My ophthalmolgist wants me on a different biologic. The agreement my rheumatologist, ophthalmologist and I have is that I will remain on Actemra for as long as it works.

I hope something works out for you. It is a struggle to taper off Prednisone without some assistance.

VIEW AND REPLY