1. < Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR)

GCA (Giant Cell Arteritis) and PMR (polymyalgia rheumatica)

Posted by dar9216 @dar9216, Jan 7, 2021

I was diagnosed a little over two years ago with GCA (Giant Cell Arteritis) and polymyalgia. Down to 1 mg of Prednisone/day, started at 60 mg. Anyone else have this combination?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) Support Group.

jeff97 | @jeff97 | May 20 6:56pm
In reply to @jasharum "Was your biopsy positive?" + (show)
@jasharum

Was your biopsy positive?

Jump to this post

Yes, my biopsy was positive. They performed the biopsy on the second day I was in the hospital for vision problems associated with the GCA. My vision turned out ok with treatment.

A negative biopsy doesn't necessarily mean you don't have GCA. The biopsy could have been from a section of the artery where there weren't any giant cells, or the biopsy could have been performed after the person had been taking prednisone for some time, and the prednisone caused the giant cells to shrink.

REPLY
randersonccc | @randersonccc | May 20 7:42pm
In reply to @dadcue "Prednisone isn't the only option anymore but it is still the least expensive. There are other..." + (show)
@dadcue

Prednisone isn't the only option anymore but it is still the least expensive. There are other options.

Kevzara was FDA approved for PMR on Feb 28th 2023.
https://www.the-rheumatologist.org/article/fda-approves-sarilumab-for-the-treatment-of-adults-with-glucocorticoid-resistant-pmr/
--------------------------
Actemra was FDA approved for GCA back in May 2017
https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-first-drug-specifically-treat-giant-cell-arteritis
----------------------------------
"Several FDA-approved biosimilars to Actemra (tocilizumab) are available for treating Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA). These include AVTOZMA (tocilizumab-anoh) from Celltrion, Tofidence (tocilizumab-bavi) from Biogen, and Tyenne (tocilizumab-aazg) from Fresenius Kabi. All three are indicated for adult patients with GCA."
------------------------
Rinvoq was FDA approved for GCA about a month ago!
https://news.abbvie.com/2025-04-29-RINVOQ-R-upadacitinib-Receives-U-S-FDA-Approval-for-Giant-Cell-Arteritis-GCA

Jump to this post

Excellent!! Thank you 👍🏻☺️

REPLY
jasharum | @jasharum | May 21 10:57am
In reply to @jeff97 "Have they tested you lately for inflammation - ESR and CRP?" + (show)
@jeff97

Have they tested you lately for inflammation - ESR and CRP?

Jump to this post

Yes, CRP ok now but sedrate remains elevated.

REPLY
jasharum | @jasharum | May 21 11:02am
In reply to @jeff97 "Have they tested you lately for inflammation - ESR and CRP?" + (show)
@jeff97

Have they tested you lately for inflammation - ESR and CRP?

Jump to this post

Yes, CRP ok now but sedrate remains elevated.
Am starting Kevzara soon along with Prednisone.

REPLY
View MoreView Less
Please sign in or register to post a reply.