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Better to be in some pain or better to up the dose of prednisone?
Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) | Last Active: Aug 21 12:56pm | Replies (80)Comment receiving replies
Thank you for the info. I am very frustrated about the additional medications needed to treat the side effects of prednisone- all with their own side effects. One medication actually has the side effect of possible muscle and joint pain. So I struggle with what is causing how I feel. Is it PMR or side effects? I am down to 5mg prednisone. I also take a daily injectable for osteoporosis, a weekly injectable for blood sugar, MTX, Humira once every two weeks (for possible seronegative RA) - all related to being on prednisone for two years. My Dr says my insurance won’t cover Kev - yet. So I am spending insurance money at at least $1500 a month for all these other meds to treat symptoms related to prednisone. Ah, the logic of it all. And to still have pain and elevated inflammatory markers Up the prednisone?
Rereading this please know I really am an optimist filled with hope - but there are days.
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Just so you know … I have seronegative inflammatory arthritis which was diagnosed approximately 20 years before PMR was diagnosed. It is possible to have inflammatory arthritis with PMR on top. It sounds delicious but it is very complicated to treat.
My rheumatologist insisted PMR was my primary problem so Actemra was targeted at PMR. I was able to taper off prednisone but Actemra didn’t keep inflammatory arthritis in check. Actemra was actually stopped and Humira was tried except after 3 months on Humira … PMR flared up again.
My rheumatologist said it would be impossible to optimally treat both conditions so I was told to choose Actemra or Humira but not both. I chose Actemra.
There were some dose adjustments and a switch from injections to a monthly infusion. Eventually I was able to taper off prednisone a second time. Currently it seems like Actemra infusions are working for PMR and inflammatory arthritis.