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Kevzara (sarilumab) to treat PMR
Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) | Last Active: Feb 10 7:53am | Replies (187)Comment receiving replies
It is amazing how often people experience flares at or about 7 mg of Prednisone. For me, it was the same and I called it my "7 mg barrier."
The "7 mg barrier" was a challenge for me because my symptoms always recurred at this dose. It didn't matter how slowly I tapered because I always flared. This dose is critical because it is the point where the body's natural adrenal function needs to ramp up the production of cortisol again. However, the adrenal glands have often become suppressed (or "slept") during higher-doses if prednisone. Taking more Prednisone at this dose put my adrenals back to sleep again.
That was the difference I experienced when a biologic was started. A biologic controlled my symptoms and didn't suppress my adrenal function. I was able to bust through the 7 mg barrier without a flare.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/adrenal-insufficiency-and-tapering-prednisone/
Replies to "@cheraloha It is amazing how often people experience flares at or about 7 mg of Prednisone...."
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@dadcue
I was nervous about tapering under the 10 mg mark ( as I was reading the issues people were having in the below 10 mg mark), but I was successful in reaching 1 mg without any additional pain level. After 5 mg I tapered 1 mg per 15 days ((which was when I started kevzara). I have not been on prednisone for more than 6 months so I attribute my success in the shorter term of steroids. I am grateful I started kevzara quickly in my treatment so as not to be dependent on prednisone and suffer the consequences of long term steroids. I have thin skin and osteoporosis and high blood sugar anyway so I’m not a good candidate for steroids.