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PMR: Are there treatment alternatives to Prednisone?
Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) | Last Active: Apr 11 1:22pm | Replies (182)Comment receiving replies
@mikeshell I am new in PMR venture ! I hope you’re well. I understand you was diagnosed with PMR years back. ,
I was looking for PMR people who have/had concomitant health issues and how they coop with prednisone.
I have heart arrhythmia and hesitate to start prednisone, because heart issues is one of its side effect!!
May I ask , how are you now , have you started prednisone treatment than , and how have you tolerated or managed it.??
Another concern it’s the age factor. At 86 , I am not sure if I will able tolerate the procedure for tapering prednisone back and forth.Therefore, I am taking the local cortisol injections. that is temporary pain relief.
Appreciate your reply.
All the best !
Replies to "@mikeshell I am new in PMR venture ! I hope you’re well. I understand you was..."
Right now I take actemra infusions once a month. Also, right now for some pain I’m having, I’m trying meloxicam once a day for 4 weeks. It does concern me somewhat because I am also on high blood pressure medication. It’s hard when the concern is drug interactions, but it’s important to try meds that reduce inflammation and are not prednisone. Our doctors know all the medications we are taking (I hope) so maybe you can ask if it is safer and effective to try meloxicam for 4 weeks to calm the inflammation. I really think, in my case, the actemra infusions are the heavy hitter. Best of luck to you on this journey!!!
@monigue
I was diagnosed with AFib years ago and started feeling PVCs and PACs several years ago. I'm on eliquis to help mitigate the stroke risk, and sotalol and verapamil for my PVCs and PACs. I was given a prescription to take as needed for my BP issues. I seldom used it. I was relatively symptom free until I started prednisone two months ago. A slight increase in sotalol eliminated the PVCs and PACs and I take a small dose of BP meds every day now (1/4 of the prescribed pill). I need the prednisone or an alternative so I can function daily. Just like the PMR symptoms themselves, the prednisone side effects vary from person to person.
For what it's worth, I am 83, have had arrhythmia, am on Eliquis, and have been on prednisone for PMR for the past 12 months. I have tapered from 40 to now 7 mg a day with the recent help of Kevzara. No heart problems. Just recurring pains from osteoarthritis that were concealed by the prednisone. I will get the annual cardiology check in the next few weeks and will let you know if I have problems caused by prednisone but so far so good.
You might investigate Kevzara as an alternative to prednisone. Most of us seem to use it to help taper off prednisone but it may be an alternative to prednisone which would be wonderful. Expensive though if not covered by insurance.
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@monigue Hi.........I am continuing to take prednisone and currently taking 4mg daily. It is enough dosage to reduce my inflammation while not harming my organs. At least, that is what the doctors have told me. My main issue/challenge is managing my activity. If I overdo my activity it causes a flair that can be very hard to overcome. It requires rest for at least 2-3 days. Currently the plan is for me to continue taking 4mg daily long term. I also find that an occasional Tramadol in the evening before sleep can help with reducing the muscle discomfort and allow a night sleep. Good luck on your journey.