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Any experiences with Kevzara (sarilumab)?
Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) | Last Active: May 1 3:40pm | Replies (114)Comment receiving replies
@dadcue
Steady state simply means that you are replacing with each dosage you take the same amount you are losing in between dosages. In reality the half-life basic rules are the same regardless of steady state status since half-life is a percent of a starting number and not an absolute amount. In my mind the complicating factors are more the individual variables like age, kidney and liver function, exercise, etc that are what get you to a time range for one half-life and not to a single specific amount of time for everyone. I see half-life as an estimate at best.
Replies to "@dadcue Steady state simply means that you are replacing with each dosage you take the same..."
@jabrown0407
Ok, so let me seee…..
8 wks past last injection of 200mg at a 3 week interval……means I have nothing in my system?
Are we suggesting that because my CRP is elevated, and no Kevzara in my system…I need to restart as a precaution?
Restart at 3 wk intervals which I was in for 4 months before stopping?
Reminder, fully active at 80 yo, and no inflammation symptoms except a chronic knee. Still hike, bike, walk when I golf, comfortably handle a 4.5 mile walk at 19 min mile with elevation chg.
Thxxxxx everyone
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@jabrown0407
I only know what happened when my Actemra injections were stopped during Covid when supplies were limited to seriously ill Covid patients. It took a few weeks for my symptoms to return. My symptoms returned gradually and eventually I needed to take Prednisone again. It was NOT like a sudden full-on relapse that could happen overnight when I was on prednisone for 12 years.
I was off Actemra for a total of 6 months and needed 15 mg of Prednisone again. What was impressive was what happened when Actemra injections were restarted. I was able to taper off prednisone again quickly. I went from 15 mg to zero again in about 3 weeks after the injections were restarted.
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Another time I was switched to a monthly Actemra infusion to facilitate the surgical fusion of my lumbar spine. The surgeon said I had to be off Actemra for one month before surgery and one month after surgery. I didn't think I could do that when I needed weekly Actemra injections. Since Actemra infusions were every 4 weeks I only had to be able to skip one infusion. I probably could have done that. My inflammation markers started to increase at 7 weeks after my last Actemra infusion but I didn't have any pain.
What was remarkable was that my need for a lumbar fusion was because a synovial cyst formed on my lumbar spine. While I was doing Actemra infusions the synovial cyst was reabsorbed and I no longer needed surgery. The surgeon said that sometimes happens. AI says the "spontaneous resorption" of a lumbar synovial cyst is rare.
"Spontaneous resolution of lumbar synovial cysts is considered an extremely rare event, with only a limited number of cases documented in medical literature. While most symptomatic cases require surgical excision, these cysts can occasionally disappear on their own, often linked to spontaneous rupture, decreased inflammation, or stabilization of the spine."
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My rheumatologist thought decreased inflammation while I was doing Actemra infusions was the most likely explanation. In any case, the synovial cyst hasn't recurred. My rheumatologist wanted me to stay on Actemra infusions. I was glad because I was getting tired of doing weekly injections.