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← Return to Long term Statin use and PMR
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Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) | Last Active: Jun 28, 2025 | Replies (13)
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I have been taking Prednisone for 12 years for PMR. Down to 3 mgs daily for the last couple of years. Still have a lot of lower back, hip and thigh pain but for the most part it’s tolerable. I take a muscle relaxer and Tylenol arthritis at bedtime which seems to help with the interrupted sleep due to pain.
I’m curious as to how you were able to stop Prednisone after 12 years. My rheumatologist has recommended Rx Kevzara
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I’m curious as to how you were able to stop Prednisone after 12 years. My rheumatologist has recommended Rx Kevzara.
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After 12 yearsm I was told that Actemra might be my "best chance" of ever getting off prednisone. There were no guarantees that Actemra would work. My rheumatologist said I would never know unless I tried Actemra to see if it would work.
I was miserable on Prednisone and my quality of life wasn't very good on Prednisone. . I felt that I had nothing to lose so I tried Actemra.
Better late than never but a year after starting Actemra, I miraculously tapered off prednisone. I tapered quickly until a cortisol level was checked. An endocrinolgist said I needed to stay on a low dose of Prednisone until my cortisol level improved. Fortunately, my cortisol level improved and I wasn't stuck on Prednisone for the rest of my life.
I have been off Prednisone for 4 years but I still do a monthly IV infusion of Actemra. No serious side effects from Actemra and my quality of life has greatly improved.
Kevzara and Actemra should work in a similar way, They are both IL-6 inhibitors.