Cutaneous vasculitis

Welcome to the world of multiple autoimmune conditions. It is not uncommon for people with one autoimmune condition like Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) to have overlapping or secondary autoimmune conditions, such as cutaneous vasculitis.

I have several autoimmune conditions. My rheumatolgist says it is difficult if not impossible to adequately treat all of my conditions.

"Systemic inflammation" is more difficult to manage but I'm grateful to finally be off Prednisone after Actemra was started. My rheumatologist and I choose to treat PMR as my primary condition because of too much pain. Everything else became secondary. It is tempting to treat everyone with PMR the same but long term prednisone just seems to create more medical conditions. Have you been able to taper off Prednisone after Kevzara was started???

There might be other treatment options for cutaneous small-vessel vasculitis.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9716566/

Hello @margedoc, I don't have any experience with cutaneous vasculitis but thought while you are waiting for members with PMR and also experience with cutaneous vasculitis to respond, I thought you might like to learn what members have commented on cutaneous vasculitis in Autoimmune and other groups. Here's a list with links to the comments - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/search/comments/.

Thanks for the responses. I was diagnosed with both conditions about a year ago and have been off both prednisone and methotrexate for about 5 months. My dermatologist and rheumatologist keep telling me it's the other's bailiwick and though the lesions are extremely itchy they do fade in a week so I am reluctant to embark upon any further treatment. I will look at the link.

@margedoc

My rheumatologist and ophthalmologist have a similar relationship. They each had their preference for a different biologic for me to be on. They had a novel solution for deciding which biologic I would take. They asked me which biologic worked the best for me!!!

All of my doctors unanimously agreed that I needed to be slowly tapered off Prednisone. Meanwhile, a self-proclaimed PMR patient expert on another PMR forum was naively advising me to take Prednisone for the rest of my life. As confusing as it gets ... I'm glad that I only take medical advice from my doctors who actually have a medical license to treat my conditions.

This online forum is great at offering support with people sharing a wide range of personal experiences. No forum can replace personalized medical advice and evaluations that doctors can provide.

Welcome to the world of PMR, it is never a dull moment. I am a PMR patient of 7 years and was recently Dx with GCA Vasculitis. I have never had a classic cranial symptom of GCA, so I am indeed well outside of a "normal" patient. To make things worse I was put on Tyenne in mid-January only to have my first ever episode of diverticulitis a week ago. I can no longer take Tyenne as a result. The drug my Rheumy has suggested I am investigating . I am also a kidney failure patient. I am very careful what I am willing to try. While doing my research on this new drug I discovered it is associated with some forms of vasculitis. Many types of vasculitis can contribute to kidney problems and even kidney failure. I am still researching the drug - I don't give up easy.
All this said I asked my AI engine, MS Copilot if Kevzara is associated with vasculitis and this is what it told me.
"Kevzara (sarilumab) has been associated with cutaneous vasculitis, a condition characterized by inflammation of small blood vessels. This side effect has been reported by some patients, particularly those with polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR). The symptoms of cutaneous vasculitis can include localized itchy rashes, which may be diagnosed via biopsy. It is important for patients to monitor for any recurrence of these symptoms and to discuss them with their healthcare provider. Source: Drugs.com"
I would suggest you research cutaneous vasculitis and talk with your Rheumy on this side effect. Vasculitis can be naughty, as if PMR is not enough naughty. I wish you a successful journey.