I hope you feel better soon. It's really good that you're starting Actemra so soon after your diagnosis. In my case I had to wait about 2 months before starting it.

I was diagnosed with PMR in September of 2024 and with GCA in November of 2024. Symptoms improved with Prednisone 50 mg. daily and I have now tapered to Prednisone 20 mg. daily without relapse. My rheumatologist strongly recommends Actemra and I truly do understand based on how I feel on the Prednisone. However I am so frightened of starting Actemra as I also have COPD, oxygen dependent with activity, and I really don't want to get a respiratory infection. I am aware that Prednisone also increases my risk of infection and I have just basically stayed home since these diagnoses other than Dr. appointments. I also have a history of a CVA for which I take Aggrenox, osteoporosis for which I have had a Reclast infusion, hypertension and hyperlipidemia. I had been walking slowly with oxygen on my treadmill for 30 minutes daily when I was diagnosed with GCA and I have slowly increased my walking to 45 minutes twice daily since then. So I am getting my exercise. I am wondering if anyone else currently on Actemra has COPD? Thank you for any insight.