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While Prednisone is known for its dramatic results, I have to say that it's Kevzara that has given me my life back. I had the usual dramatic response to Prednisone then couldn't reduce further. Unlike most folks, my response to Kevzara was immediate and dramatic. Within days, I had less pain and greater mobility. Kevzara targets different receptors than Prednisone, and I believe my PMR is more affected by that pathway. If I'm late with a Kevzara dose, my body reminds me. Meanwhile, I'm dropping to 3 mg of Prednisone this week and expect to be down to 1 and off by summertime. My exercise tolerance is (slowly) increasing, sleep is improved, brain fog from pain is almost gone. I'm much better off by every measure to be on only Kevzara than Kevazara+Prednsone. Can't wait to lose this moonface & weight gain and get back to walking and hiking 3 to 5 miles daily.
Replies to "While Prednisone is known for its dramatic results, I have to say that it's Kevzara that..."
This is a great story. I would like to start Kevzara but very leery due to fact I have had A LOT of anal radiation when I had cancer in 2010. Big side effect being tear in intestines, Does your doctor believe you could get off Kevzara? Thank you so much for sharing. Ellen
I have had a similar experience with Kevzara. I felt almost normal in a few days. I was also able to taper prednisone from 13 mg to 5 mg in less than 6 weeks. However, after the latest reduction to 5 mg this week, I am having sweats, headaches, nausea and fatigue. Although I have only been on steroids a few months, I guess the discomfort may be caused by my adrenal system trying to wake up. My question: what did your taper schedule look like once you reached 5 mg. ? Did you have to alter it from your earlier schedule?
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How soon was Kevzara started after you were diagnosed with PMR? My response to Actemra was dramatic but I was on Prednisone for more than 12 years before Actemra was tried. I needed to wait a long time for my cortisol level to improve before I could taper off Prednisone. It took a long time for my adrenal function to rebound after being suppressed for 12 years.