1. < Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR)
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How does Kevzara help with PMR symptoms and pain? I am being weaned

Posted by tsharkey01 @tsharkey01, Sep 8, 2023

I have had Pmr for 15 months now. It took forever to get diagnosed. I have been on 20 - 5 - 1 mg prednisone. My rheumatologist wants me to try kevzara. Is it worth it? I have been this way so long now I have forgotten what normal feels like.

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stonewheel | @stonewheel | Mar 29 9:34am
In reply to @linnead "Thank you for responding. After one shot my blood was off a bit and my rheumy..." + (show)
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Thank you for responding. After one shot my blood was off a bit and my rheumy said he would check again in a couple of months, then I imagine adjust if necessary. Again, thank you for offering some hope there is an end.

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@linnead same here. My rheumatologist was concerned about me continuing Kevzara after my 1st injection but not I’ve had 5, every 2 weeks and tapered from 25 to 7.5 mgs prednisone, so far. I see her this week for blood tests again which I’m hoping will be in a good range to continue as current treatment.
Good luck with it and best wishes.

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aflik | @aflik | Mar 29 10:03pm
In reply to @linnead "I have had PMR for 14 months. Weaned down on the prednisone to 5 mg still..." + (show)
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I have had PMR for 14 months. Weaned down on the prednisone to 5 mg still with lots of morning pain. Also taking 2000 mg of Tylenol daily. Finally gave up on my dream of totally weaning off prednisone and decided to try Kevzara. I have had two injections and all of my pain is nearly gone. You get so used to the pain you forget what it is like to be nearly pain free. I am curious about what my blood is going to think of Kevzara...but it is great to be nearly pain free.

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@linnead I tapered off pred last August after being on it for over a year. I was also on Actemra infusions and continued them every 4 weeks. Soon after I went to 6 weeks with no pred. My blood markers became normalized. About 2 months ago my PMR pain returned with a vengeance, although my blood markers didn’t show it returned. Now I’m back on a short course of pred and Actemra every 4 weeks again. I feel better since I’ve restarted pred. I have a new visit with my Rheumy this week to plan the next move. The theory is that I cut back on Actemra too soon after stopping pred. I hope that’s the answer. 🙏

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linnead | @linnead | Mar 30 9:44am
In reply to @aflik "@linnead I tapered off pred last August after being on it for over a year. I..." + (show)
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@linnead I tapered off pred last August after being on it for over a year. I was also on Actemra infusions and continued them every 4 weeks. Soon after I went to 6 weeks with no pred. My blood markers became normalized. About 2 months ago my PMR pain returned with a vengeance, although my blood markers didn’t show it returned. Now I’m back on a short course of pred and Actemra every 4 weeks again. I feel better since I’ve restarted pred. I have a new visit with my Rheumy this week to plan the next move. The theory is that I cut back on Actemra too soon after stopping pred. I hope that’s the answer. 🙏

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@aflik So discouraging...Keep on keeping on...

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aflik | @aflik | Mar 30 11:10am
In reply to @linnead "@aflik So discouraging...Keep on keeping on..." + (show)
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@aflik So discouraging...Keep on keeping on...

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@linnead have no choice but to persevere .

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