1. < Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR)

Kevzara?

Posted by kass8174 @kass8174, 14 hours ago

I am 72 yo dx with PMR 1 1/2 years ago on Prednisone for treatment. It helped but threw me into diabetes! Since then wanted to get off Pred and went down 1mg per 2weeks. Finally off on March but symptoms so much worse. Tried 3 different prescription nsaids and not helping( but off diabetes meds!!) Anyone tried Kevzara? My family Doc told me to ask Rheumatologist about this med.

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marmille | @marmille | 13 hours ago

Hey! I am 54 yo female. Diagnosed in October out of the blue. I was on up to 30mg daily. Clearly all the side effects awful. I have taken 5 shots every two weeks. I am now on 4mg. You can taper down 1mg per week. If feel pain can increase. It takes 12 weeks Kevzara to get into your system. I feel good. Little pain in joints and shoulders but not bad. Worse in the am but functioning fine. Trying to start Pilates or barre again. I also sleep on a grounding mattress pad and that has helped. I am hopeful

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2 replies
harelover | @harelover | 8 hours ago
In reply to @marmille "Hey! I am 54 yo female. Diagnosed in October out of the blue. I was on..." + (show)
@marmille

Hey! I am 54 yo female. Diagnosed in October out of the blue. I was on up to 30mg daily. Clearly all the side effects awful. I have taken 5 shots every two weeks. I am now on 4mg. You can taper down 1mg per week. If feel pain can increase. It takes 12 weeks Kevzara to get into your system. I feel good. Little pain in joints and shoulders but not bad. Worse in the am but functioning fine. Trying to start Pilates or barre again. I also sleep on a grounding mattress pad and that has helped. I am hopeful

Jump to this post

Hi,
I'm a 72 yo female first diagnosed 6/23 was on predisone (varying dosages) for 9 mos then started Kevzara (no side effects) 3/24 and was able to taper off of predisone within 4 mos. I have been on Kevzara only for the past 8 mos with virtually no symptoms of PMR and no side effects of Kevzara. I have been tapering down to every three weeks instead of every two weeks for the past 5 months (no flair) I am now trying every 4 weeks and if I continue to be symptom-free I am going to ask my Rheumatologist if she thinks I am truly in remission and can go off of it altogether. Fingers crossed. Good luck to you. Kevzara was a game changer for me and I was reluctant to try it because of the side effects. My Dr convinced me that Predisone long term was much worse than the Prednisone.

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1 reply
seniormed | @seniormed | 7 hours ago

You have the proper indications for your doctor to prescribe Kevzara and
insurance should pay if you appeal and your rheumatologist does the paperwork.

REPLY
1 reply
kass8174 | @kass8174 | 6 hours ago
In reply to @marmille "Hey! I am 54 yo female. Diagnosed in October out of the blue. I was on..." + (show)
@marmille

Hey! I am 54 yo female. Diagnosed in October out of the blue. I was on up to 30mg daily. Clearly all the side effects awful. I have taken 5 shots every two weeks. I am now on 4mg. You can taper down 1mg per week. If feel pain can increase. It takes 12 weeks Kevzara to get into your system. I feel good. Little pain in joints and shoulders but not bad. Worse in the am but functioning fine. Trying to start Pilates or barre again. I also sleep on a grounding mattress pad and that has helped. I am hopeful

Jump to this post

Thanks for the info Marmille!

REPLY
kass8174 | @kass8174 | 6 hours ago
In reply to @seniormed "You have the proper indications for your doctor to prescribe Kevzara and insurance should pay if..." + (show)
@seniormed

You have the proper indications for your doctor to prescribe Kevzara and
insurance should pay if you appeal and your rheumatologist does the paperwork.

Jump to this post

Thanks are you taking it?

REPLY
kass8174 | @kass8174 | 6 hours ago
In reply to @harelover "Hi, I'm a 72 yo female first diagnosed 6/23 was on predisone (varying dosages) for 9..." + (show)
@harelover

Hi,
I'm a 72 yo female first diagnosed 6/23 was on predisone (varying dosages) for 9 mos then started Kevzara (no side effects) 3/24 and was able to taper off of predisone within 4 mos. I have been on Kevzara only for the past 8 mos with virtually no symptoms of PMR and no side effects of Kevzara. I have been tapering down to every three weeks instead of every two weeks for the past 5 months (no flair) I am now trying every 4 weeks and if I continue to be symptom-free I am going to ask my Rheumatologist if she thinks I am truly in remission and can go off of it altogether. Fingers crossed. Good luck to you. Kevzara was a game changer for me and I was reluctant to try it because of the side effects. My Dr convinced me that Predisone long term was much worse than the Prednisone.

Jump to this post

Ty Harelover! Most helpful comment! Good luck to you.
Kass

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