I was diagnosed with PMR Summer of 2020. I’ve tried methotrexate and was unable to taper off steroids. I then went back to Prednisone and am able to get to 4mg, and has very little discomfort. When Kevzara was approved for PMR, my Rheumatologist wanted me to try it. I was approved for it, but the side effects scared me, so I decided not to move forward. For the next year, and slowly tapered down to 2 mg, but I’m in a lot of pain in my upper body. My clavicle is involved, which has never been in the past, and my elbows and upper arms are very painful at night. I also was diagnosed with Occipital Neuralgia, before the PMR set in. I later found out, that they are seen together frequently. I’m a 63 year old female, who has worked out for 33 years and I’m still pushing through. My upper body isn’t happy doing weights, but I’ve adjusted my routine and it’s very doable. I was told working out will make my symptoms worse, but it’s what keeps me mentally healthy.
Recently I decided maybe to look at Kevzara again. But when I looked at the rate of success, it’s 28%…that’s not good! Knowing that my experience on Methotrexate wasn’t good, I’m now not going to do it. The medical risks on this drug aren’t good either. I just went back up to 5mg of prednisone. It’s only been 2 days, but I am seeing improvement in my PMR.
Has anyone had Kevzara allow them to get off prednisone? I know that, if you can get off the steroids, while on Kevzara…you need to stay on Kevzara for up to a year after potentially. That’s even more scary to me, especially as an older person.