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← Return to Kevzara (sarilumab) to treat PMR
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Kevzara (sarilumab) to treat PMR
Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) | Last Active: Feb 10 7:53am | Replies (187)Comment receiving replies
@dadcue Yes sir. That is my understanding. I’ve learned so much from you. While I have been tapering Prednisone from the beginning (started at 40mg and now at 15mg,) I’m hoping that the Kevzara takes over as expected so I can do the “little numbers” taper. The 7mg and down taper. I hope to be at 7mg at three months into Kevzara.
If my body systems react the way I want them to, my Adrenal System will come back “on-line” fully with the reduction of Prednisone and I can say good-bye to Prednisone. I have a Love-Hate relationship with it.
Thank you again Mike.
Replies to "@dadcue Yes sir. That is my understanding. I’ve learned so much from you. While I have..."
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@stonewheel
I learn stuff all the time and by no means am I qualified to give medical advice.
Most of these autoimmune conditions defy any rational explanation. There isn't any rhyme nor reason for prednisone tapering either no matter what anyone tells you.
Imagine how shocked I was by what an endocrinologist told me when I was still on 3 mg. She said as long as my cortisol level was adequate that 3 mg was a very low dose so there was no need to taper off that low of a dose. She said as long as Actemra was controlling PMR and I didn't need Prednisone anymore for my other autoimmune conditions that I could simply stop taking 3 mg of Prednisone without tapering with an adequate cortisol level.
I was too terrified to stop Prednisone that way but I did a fast taper from 3 mg to zero.. So much for all the ultra slow tapering strategies. My endocrinologist was amazed that my cortisol level rebounded somewhat quickly while I stayed on 3 mg of Prednisone. It still took 6 months on 3 mg and slightly more than a year after Actemra was started. Considering I was on Prednisone for more than 12 years, my endocrinologist was worried that I might not be able to discontinue Prednisone.