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Do not want to take steroids.

Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) | Last Active: 13 hours ago | Replies (30)

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@dadcue

Actemra doesn't work as quickly as prednisone works to relieve pain. Once Actemra starts to work, it is difficult to predict if a relapse will occur or not. I don't need to take Actemra every day. I currently can't stop Actemra because the pain returns and my inflammation markers increase. It took me about a year in total to finally get off prednisone completely. Now I do a monthly infusion with Actemra.

If PMR is the primary problem, Actemra isn't FDA approved for this diagnosis. However, another biologic called Kevzara (sarilumab) works similarly and is FDA approved for PMR.
https://www.kevzara.com/hcp/pmr?utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_content=PMR_Core&utm_campaign=G_24_KEVZARA_SEM_HCP_PMR_Branded_Condition_PMR_EX&utm_term=kevzara%20for%20pmr&gclid=Cj0KCQiAgJa6BhCOARIsAMiL7V99TOMmC0KsPSIxTVWPsLPBb9eIoXhgI2qPphlTZgpkV_xdV-dOoKIaAga-EALw_wcB
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Actemra is only FDA approved to treat GCA.

PMR research hasn't advanced very far for finding alternatives to Prednisone. I was on daily Prednisone for more than 12 years to treat PMR alone. I also had a long standing history of inflammatory arthritis before PMR was diagnosed. My cumulative dose of prednisone over 35 years was astronomical.

I don't know how well Actemra will work for you. My side effects from Actemra are minimal. However some people do have serious side effects from Actemra.

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Thank you.
Interesting because a lot of people with pmr have gca. I’m glad it helped you. Mine attack I think was brought on from the first 2 COVID vaccines. Wish I never got them. I have a few other autoimmune diseases.
Stay well and have a happy healthy lidat season 🤗