I have been on Actemra for 6 years and have done Actemra infusions for the last couple of years. My quality of life has greatly improved since I tapered off Prednisone. I have been Prednisone free for the last 4 years and counting.

I can't say my quality of life was good when I needed Prednisone for 12 years. Prednisone was great at the start of PMR but there was an insidious decline in my overall health and well being after a couple of years on Prednisone. I'm jealous that you started Actemra so soon.

The pain hasn't ever gone away completely for me. The thing that made it better was being able to decide what was PMR and what wasn't PMR. That was better than treating everything with Prednisone and never being able to taper off.

Just so you know ... it wasn't easy to taper off Prednisone after Actemra was started. I had underlying adrenal insufficiency from long term Prednisone use. That felt like PMR too until I was able to taper off Prednisone. That was when my energy improved. It took me about a year to feel like I was able to do some of the things I used to be able to do. Unfortunately, being off Prednisone exposed all the arthritic aches and pains that I still have. My rheumatologist is still involved with my care and says I have a wide range of rheumatology problems.