Connect
Kevzara or Methotrexate
Hi folks I have been on Kevzara since March and after 12 shots I started feeling better (not ever 100%) but better was short lived so Md suggested I try Methotrexate Sept 15 and I see no difference maybe worse. I read someone got a covid shot snd had a relapse. I just got both flu and covid shots two weeks apart. Wondering if it affected me??! I am able to get out of bed and get dressed so I guess I shouldn’t bellyache but I am 2years into this and tired of it!! Thanks for listening❤️
Like
Helpful
HugInterested in more discussions like this? Go to the Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) Support Group.
Connect
@JustinMcClanahan
Awesome, thank you.
@mech
When I went on Kevzara l nothing was said abt prednisone levels. It was all based upon that I could not taper off prednisone without help.
Check with your doctor .
Also prednisone taper might be too fast. My Dr had me ……
Never taper more than 10%, stay at dose until pain free…..tapering while in pain is not helpful to me. You can try the alternating method…..
I.e., 25 going to 24…..alternate days of 25 and 24 until pain free minimum of 2 weeks. That equals a dose of 24.5……then repeat then alternate again try and repeat. Some drops are too big.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsThank you so much!
@kjoed53 I appreciated your text as I agree, the doctors don’t always understand the level of pain we feel and how debilitating it can be. “Can’t lift a coffee cup,” can’t get dressed by yourself. And how the pain moves around. I wa diagnosed quickly 2/25 due to my brilliant primary and classic symptoms. Once into my journey, I have had odd pains show up. For a week I could not lift my coffee cup. Then that passed. Next the fingers on my left hand hurt daily along with the rest of it. So frustrating. As always, you can read about something but until you experience it, you don’t really know.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionBellyache away. This is the place to do it. Yes, be thankful you can get out of bed and dress yourself. That is progress and we all get it. And we are all tired of it…so bellyache away. We feel your pain (literally!).
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
3 Reactions@mech on the Kevzara website, scroll down to see the taper chart/graph. Their study group patients were taking 15 mgs/day when they began taking Kevzara.
https://www.kevzara.com/hcp/pmr/efficacy/study-design
I started Kevzara while taking Prednisone 25mg/day (12.5mg am + 12.5 mg pm)
I tapered to 20mg/day (10+10) later that week.
Will do. Thank you!
I have gone back up to 15mg, in the AM for now. Pain level at 5 out of 10 at 4 AM. Shoulders, hips and thighs and now my hands. From about 8 AM to 5 PM, pain is tolerable at 2-3 out of 10. Then it starts to ramp up again.
I see Rheumy on Wednesday to talk about what’s next. I understand that Metho may take some time to do any good. I’m also not sure I can afford Kevzara. I don’t know what Medicare will cover.
Thank you all for your input and support.
@76ttop For me, between Medicare and my supplement United Healthcare it covered all but my deductible which is $2000.00……that was the first month dose and all other prescriptions for the year were $00.00, as in free because the deductible was all,paid.
@76ttop that’s funny (not) that you mention your hands, when I reported same to my rheumy he poo pooed it off to osteo 🤔