OTC pain relief while on Prednisone?

@superfly999

For insurance covering Actemra for PMR---the answer is yes and no.

I'm on Medicare so my monthly IV infusions of Actemra are covered. The self-administered injections aren't covered by Medicare. The infusions are considered "inpatient" medications because they are administered in a "hospital setting" as compared to the injections done at home.

Medicare Part B: Covers medications that need to be given by a healthcare professional in a doctor's office or hospital outpatient setting, such as IV infusions.
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My case was somewhat unusual. When I was working, my employer provided insurance didn't cover Actemra. When I retired on Medicare, my rheumatologist found out that I was a veteran. She said I needed to transfer my medical care to the VA hospital across the street from the University Hospital. She said the VA could prescribe medications that she couldn't prescribe.

I wasn't so excited about going to the VA because I would need to change doctors. My rheumatologist of 15 years said I would be seeing a rheumatologist from the University who also worked at the VA.

At my very first visit to the VA hospital, I met my new rheumatologist. I wasn't prepared for what happened. I thought I would need to start at the beginning by talking about my extensive medical history from the University Hospital. The rheumatologist at the VA hospital interrupted me and said he knew all about me. He said taking Prednisone for the rest of my life wouldn't be a good outcome. He said, "If I was willing to try Actemra, he would try to get the VA to approve it for me." An approval was needed because I was diagnosed with PMR and Actemra isn't FDA approved for PMR.

After Actemra was approved for me, the VA is reimbursed by Medicare for part of the cost of my Actemra infusions and the medication. I don't pay anything for Actemra or for the cost of doing the infusion as long as it is done at the VA Hospital.

@dadcue Good information, thanks. I'm still a few years away from Medicare, so really hoping I can beat the PMR with the quite-affordable Prednisone alone.

@superfly999
Ask abt Kevzara too…..they have some super drug plans.

@superfly999

My only recommendation is to keep track of how long you are on prednisone and your "cumulative dose" over time. Long term prednisone and a high cumulative dose are very different from being on Prednisone short term for a year or two with a relatively low cumulative dose.

The side effects from Prednisone are insidious and develop gradually and are easy to ignore. I was on prednisone daily for more than 12 years. I once told my rheumatologist that I felt "more normal" when I took Prednisone compared to when I tried to reduce my dose. My rheumatolgist picked up on my comment and said the following:

"It is NOT normal for anyone to need prednisone in order to feel normal."

I couldn't refute what she said especially when she reviewed how much weight I had gained, the cataracts surgeries, how many additional medications for blood pressure control and cholesterol levels that I needed. I won't mention the emergency room visits and hospitalizations. I once had a massive, multiple and bilaterally pulmonary embolisms that were "unprovoked." and I found myself in intensive care after an infection. Anticoagulants for the rest of my life was started. Being prone to infections was my "new normal" when I used to say my health was "excellent" and "never got sick."

I'm off Prednisone and now I only do a monthly infusion of Actemra to control PMR. Technically, I'm still being treated for PMR but off prednisone. Not only was prednisone discontinued but gradually over the last 5 years --- I have stopped all those other medications including the anticoagulants I needed for a variety of acquired conditions.

@dlb3 I take Tylenol 1000mg twice a day plus 1 mg prednisone and Kevzara every 14 days for PMR.

I take my prednisone at 10-11pm. I sleep better now than I ever did. (Maybe because of the fatigue?) Anyway, you can ask your doctor about taking it later. I run at 6:30am and feel great. Evenings are a little tough but I tried taking prednisone in the am and couldn't sleep.
I'm down to 5mg after 7 months and my pain level before I stretch out is about a 3, but goes up to 7 or 8 after a few days of lowering a half mg. I've learned my body adjusts in a few days.
I am also on a pretty strict anti-inflammatory diet and have actually lost weight. Hoping not to gain.
Fingers crossed this is working.
Everyone is different, but you could try it at night

@woodswoman are you taking the Tylenol along with prednisone, or on its own?

@tweetypie13 Hello -- I want to bump this suggestion, because it is one of the few things -- other than splitting my Prednisone dose -- that worked for me.

The ARTHRITIS time-release formula taken just before bed definitely helped me with the morning pain.

The difference between 5-level pain and 3.5-level pain provided by the time-release Tylenol makes a few more sleep minutes possible during those painful morning hours.

My Garmin watch was giving me sleep quality ratings in the high-20s and low-30's (extremely poor) since the PMR hit. Last night I got an 87 sleep with 0 pain (maybe a 1 in my left shoulder) thanks to Prednisone and Tylenol Arthritis formula.

@superfly999
I am soooo happy for you.
You made my day
Thank you for the bump, and may others see it. This has been most helpful to me and I just HAVE to share the word.
Not all Tylenol is alike.
TYLENOL for ARTHRITIS

I must add that I take T for A when off to strenuous exer like golf today where I wlk and swing. It’s been a good bandaid while still on Kevzara, and off prednisone.

@vjm0223 Tylenol along with prednisone yes.