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@jeff97

I'm an example for "Sign of Compliance."

While my rheumatologist knew I was stretching the time between my Actemra infusions from every 4 weeks to 7 weeks --- there was a significant increase in my CRP and ESR. I denied having an increase in pain as I approached 7 weeks between infusions but based on my inflammatory markers, I was told not to go that long without an infusion.

What people fail to mention is the half life of Actemra is very long. Once again according to artificial intelligence:

"Actemra (tocilizumab) stays in your system for a prolonged period, typically for 2 to 4 months (approximately 86 to 107 days) after the last dose. This long duration is because Actemra has an elimination half-life of roughly 21.5 days, meaning it takes about 3 to 3.5 months for the body to eliminate it completely."
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It is no different with Prednisone except that the half life of Prednisone is very short. Inflammation markers will increase if you don't take Prednisone every day. People on Prednisone don't have reliable ESR and CRP either.

"Diagnostic Impact: Because prednisone works quickly to lower these markers, it can interfere with diagnosing conditions that rely on high initial ESR/CRP, such as Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA) or Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR)."
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Another reason ESR and CRP are still checked is to determine if Actemra is still working. If it isn't working because of antibody formation against Actemra a persons inflammation markers will likely increase. If CRP and/or ESR levels, which were previously suppressed, begin to rise, it often indicates that the drug is losing its effect.

Once again ... according to artificial intelligence:
"Indicator of Lost Efficacy: Actemra typically reduces CRP and ESR levels to very low levels. If these markers begin to rise in a patient who was previously well-controlled, it is often a sign that the drug is no longer working, potentially due to antibody formation or other factors."

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Replies to "@jeff97 I'm an example for "Sign of Compliance." While my rheumatologist knew I was stretching the..."

@dadcue
Also good points, thanks. These last two posts are the type of information we really need to understand.