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.

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

jsteck | @jsteck | Jun 28 11:35am

In reply to @kass8174 "On medicare and so far payed a bit at first now 0!!" + (show)

How much does it cost you if I can ask?

tweetypie13 | @tweetypie13 | Jun 28 12:37pm

In reply to @dlhouck "Yes, started Kevzara at Thanksgiving when I struggled getting below 10mg of Pred. I’m 59 and..." + (show)

I’ve been on Kevzara for 14 weeks and have dropped Pred to 2.5. (Was at 8 when I started K) It’s been smooth sailing. Now dropping .5 a week. I feel so good, but resisting faster taper.

jeff97 | @jeff97 | Jun 28 1:10pm

In reply to @tweetypie13 "I’ve been on Kevzara for 14 weeks and have dropped Pred to 2.5. (Was at 8..." + (show)

.5 a week is very fast. I'm on Actemra and my rheumatologist wants me to drop 1 mg per month, and that is actually pretty fast. Good luck with your taper.

Mike | @dadcue | Jun 28 2:36pm

In reply to @tweetypie13 "I’ve been on Kevzara for 14 weeks and have dropped Pred to 2.5. (Was at 8..." + (show)

It just depends on how fast your adrenals recover. Assuming that Actemra is controlling the inflammation part then it is more about how long it takes for your cortisol level to rebound. I’m not telling anyone what to do. Actemra was a game changer for me. I tapered by 1 mg per week from 7 mg to 3 mg. When my cortisol level was low I stayed on 3 mg for 6 months before tapering of prednisone completely.

tweetypie13 | @tweetypie13 | Jun 28 3:10pm

In reply to @dadcue "It just depends on how fast your adrenals recover. Assuming that Actemra is controlling the inflammation..." + (show)

Thank you for the clarification. I should add my cortisol level is “good” according to my pcp. I see her on Monday for annual etc.

Mike | @dadcue | Jun 29 6:35am

In reply to @tweetypie13 "Thank you for the clarification. I should add my cortisol level is “good” according to my..." + (show)

My cortisol level was called adequate by an endocrinologist. I wonder if "good" by a PCP is equivalent to "adequate" by an endocrinologist???🤔

My endocrinologist wouldn't predict what would happen when I stopped taking prednisone. None of what she said was reassuring. I went ahead and discontinued Prednisone. I wasn't successful the first time. My second attempt 4 months later was better.

tweetypie13 | @tweetypie13 | Jun 29 7:52am

In reply to @dadcue "My cortisol level was called adequate by an endocrinologist. I wonder if "good" by a PCP..." + (show)

My cortisol was well within healthy range.

froggyone | @froggyone | Jun 29 8:26am

In reply to @jsteck "How much does it cost you if I can ask?" + (show)

$60 per month to start with, now I pay nothing

garcia4277 | @garcia4277 | Jun 30 4:26pm

I am on Kevzara after being on predisone for a year . I have completely stopped predisone after tapering down. I am
On my 3 rd shot of kevzara and have no relief they say it takes 5-7 shots we will see..