1. < Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR)

Anyone tried Kevzara for PMR?

Posted by kass8174 @kass8174, Mar 12 12:20pm

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 | Apr 10 9:22am
In reply to @kass8174 "I am now 2 week into Kevzara Rx. I am no better maybe worse! How long..." + (show)
@kass8174

I am now 2 week into Kevzara Rx. I am no better maybe worse! How long must I wait for relief? Not on anything but Med Marajuana to help with pain which helps some. Getting very impatient!

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Good morning. Don’t get discouraged. Kevzara takes 12 weeks to get into your system. But actually as a patient and experience you will start to feel a difference around the 8-10 shots. Keep it up

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1 reply
grumpa | @grumpa | Apr 10 1:11pm
In reply to @kass8174 "I am now 2 week into Kevzara Rx. I am no better maybe worse! How long..." + (show)
@kass8174

I am now 2 week into Kevzara Rx. I am no better maybe worse! How long must I wait for relief? Not on anything but Med Marajuana to help with pain which helps some. Getting very impatient!

Jump to this post

I started Kevzara in December. Befor starting I had a slow growing flare. Finally my Rheumotologist put me on 20mg for a couple weeks then reducing 2.5/ week untill 10mg when I started the Kevzara injections. After a couple weeks I then reduced 1mg/wk. I am holding at 3mg/day for now because of some possible adrenal issues. My morning cortisol test was normal though. All this to say she got my inflammation under control before starting the Kevzara . I think this approach helped.

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kass8174 | @kass8174 | Apr 10 6:44pm
In reply to @marmille "Good morning. Don’t get discouraged. Kevzara takes 12 weeks to get into your system. But actually..." + (show)
@marmille

Good morning. Don’t get discouraged. Kevzara takes 12 weeks to get into your system. But actually as a patient and experience you will start to feel a difference around the 8-10 shots. Keep it up

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Ty I guess most are on Pred with Kevzara. I got off Pred first! Thanks for the encouragement!

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jfannarbor | @jfannarbor | Apr 11 7:55am

I have posted here before and I am taking Kevzara every two weeks. What I am going to say has been posted under PMR before, but now that I am on Kevzara it is much more relevant. There is a a YouTube video given by an expert on PMR from I think John Hopkins at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mWBPr-zZI44. The last 5 minutes of this 45 minutes video talks about Kevzara in a good way. This video is for medical students or practitioners so it can get complicated, but I found it very interesting. I know some on this blog will be interested.

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groksvaag | @groksvaag | Apr 11 2:30pm

Have had PMR since November Had very severe pain before starting on prednisone Took my 3rd shot of Kevzara today which i was started on because could not bring prednisone below 20 without flair. No side effects Have not really seen any changes yet. Have mild morning pain and stiffness
Will decrease by 2.5 on Monday. Rheumatologist goal is to get me to 15 in about a month. Once Kevzara kicks in hope to taper more quickly.

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neztrop | @neztrop | Apr 13 12:23pm

63 yr old. PMR came on strong 6 months ago. I was on 50 mg of Prednisone. I started Kevzara March 1st and now I’m at 10 mg of Prednisone. Kevzara has been a life saver. I’m planning on just pushing through the pain until I’m done with Prednisone which hopefully will be by June.
My insurance covers it which was a surprise.
Good luck!

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1 reply
harelover | @harelover | Apr 13 6:02pm

Hang in there with the Kevzara. It was a game-changer for me. No side effects and was able to discontinue predisone after being on Kevzara for 4 months. I was able to stop the Kevzara seven months after that. I have been totally off of everything for the last 8 weeks. No sign of a flair! Im hoping that this is a true remission, but time will tell.

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kass8174 | @kass8174 | Apr 13 7:01pm
In reply to @neztrop "63 yr old. PMR came on strong 6 months ago. I was on 50 mg of..." + (show)
@neztrop

63 yr old. PMR came on strong 6 months ago. I was on 50 mg of Prednisone. I started Kevzara March 1st and now I’m at 10 mg of Prednisone. Kevzara has been a life saver. I’m planning on just pushing through the pain until I’m done with Prednisone which hopefully will be by June.
My insurance covers it which was a surprise.
Good luck!

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TY I appreciate your encourgement!

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kira2 | @kira2 | 6 days ago

I am also 72, PMR about 2 years, using Kevzara 1&1/2 years should be off it end of July. I was off prednisone for about 60 days, back on 1 mg hope to be off by end of month. Stiff when I get up in the mornings but after I get moving it is almost a pain free day - secret is you can’t sit around have to move. I walk a lot. Good luck, it gets better

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1 reply
kass8174 | @kass8174 | 4 days ago
In reply to @kira2 "I am also 72, PMR about 2 years, using Kevzara 1&1/2 years should be off it..." + (show)
@kira2

I am also 72, PMR about 2 years, using Kevzara 1&1/2 years should be off it end of July. I was off prednisone for about 60 days, back on 1 mg hope to be off by end of month. Stiff when I get up in the mornings but after I get moving it is almost a pain free day - secret is you can’t sit around have to move. I walk a lot. Good luck, it gets better

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Ty I appreciate your encouragement! On does 7 Kevzara still waiting for it to work.

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