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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
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.
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Thank you so much for your information! And I wish you well with your current medications. Your comments have given me very valuable information for my upcoming visit with my rheumatologist. The seronegative RA diagnosis was a surprise. I've been expecting the Humira to make things better and I could continue my prednisone taper. Reality is, I am in the midst of a flare and will be going back up on prednisone. Reading your comments has helped so much to understand this new wrinkle. Thank you!