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Has anybody used lions mane for PMR?
Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) | Last Active: Aug 26 3:23pm | Replies (7)Comment receiving replies
Thank you so much. It was recommended to me by a friend I think I will refrain from taking it. So hard when prednisone and methatrexate not worked. Side effects worse than disease. I appreciate your research.
Replies to "Thank you so much. It was recommended to me by a friend I think I will..."
What other conventional DMARDs have you tried? Methotrexate (MTX) is probably used most often but there are others. Leflunomide sometimes works of PMR. Other options: Azathioprine and hydroxychloroquine have been investigated for PMR, but have shown limited or inconsistent efficacy.
If no conventional DMARD works it might be time to try a biologic DMARD for PMR. Biologic DMARDs offer an alternative or adjunct therapy that can lead to better disease control and a more manageable treatment regimen by allowing for reduced steroid use.
The thread about Actemra was originally posted when there weren't any biologics to treat PMR. I'm a big fan of Actemra (tocilizumab) because it works well for me. I was on Prednisone for 12 years with countless relapses no matter how I tapered Prednisone. A year of Actemra allowed me to taper off Prednisone and I have stayed off Prednisone for the better part of the past 5 years.
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The link below discusses biologic DMARDs for patients with treatment-resistant PMR or for patients who have difficulty using prednisone for PMR.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11422537/
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Kevzara (sarilumab) is currently the only biologic that is FDA approved for PMR in the United States. The FDA granted approval in March 2023.
If your doctor is willing to try biologics that are FDA approved for GCA then there are other options. I love the information in the following link because it suggests the outlook for treating PMR and GCA is getting brighter.
https://www.healio.com/news/rheumatology/20250220/tsunami-of-effortbrings-biologics-to-the-forefront-in-giant-cell-arteritis-pmr
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Sorry the prednisone and methotrexate has not worked for you. @dadcue has mentioned Actemra helped him in another discussion here:
-- Anyone tried Actemra (Tocilizumab) to treat PMR? FDA approved for GCA:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/actemra-tocilizumab-to-treat-pmr/
Wondering if that might be something to discuss with your rheumatologist or doctor?