1. < Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR)
Profile picture for christopherc

GLP-1 Drugs Effects on PMR

Posted by christopherc @christopherc, Mar 28 8:08am

I recently read that some GLP-1 drugs like Zepbound can reduce systemic inflammation in autoimmune diseases including arthritis. Has anyone started taking a GLP-1 for diabetes or obesity after being diagnosed with PMR and found that it reduced the inflammation and pain and/or stiffness the disease causes? I know it can be hard to distinguish relief from other treatments like prednisone but I’d be interested in whether anyone thinks a GLP-1 drug significantly reduced their PMR symptoms.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) Support Group.

Profile picture for joyl263
joyl263 | @joyl263 | Apr 1 8:07am
In reply to @elizterrel "Yes. My rheumatologist actually told me there were indications it might help, but not enough studies..." + (show)
Profile picture for elizterrel @elizterrel

Yes. My rheumatologist actually told me there were indications it might help, but not enough studies to make it something he could prescribe. I'd been considering it to help shed the weight post-prednisone. So I tried it. My insurance won't cover it, so I take a compounded daily dose.
I've forgotten three times and when I have, I am aware of both inflammation pain all day and crashing blood sugar in the afternoon.
For reference, the only thing I am on for PMR now is Kevzara.
I suspect if I just bit the bullet and paid for Terzepatide it would make a bigger difference -- I'm considering it.

Jump to this post

@elizterrel my situation is similar in that I went on zepbound while taking prednisone for a year. I was able to lose 50 lb however the PMR came back after I was off the prednisone. I'm now about to start the Kevzara,Curious how you're doing on the kevzara

REPLY
Profile picture for elizterrel
elizterrel | @elizterrel | Apr 1 12:07pm

I really love Kevlar -- I have a feeling I have always needed it. I see varying responses on this group, but for me it's been a miracle!
Thanks for this info, btw. I have been on semiglutide and am in the process of switching to Zepbound, so this is great to read!

REPLY
1 reply
Profile picture for Mike
Mike | @dadcue | Apr 2 8:01am
In reply to @elizterrel "I really love Kevlar -- I have a feeling I have always needed it. I see..." + (show)
Profile picture for elizterrel @elizterrel

I really love Kevlar -- I have a feeling I have always needed it. I see varying responses on this group, but for me it's been a miracle!
Thanks for this info, btw. I have been on semiglutide and am in the process of switching to Zepbound, so this is great to read!

Jump to this post

@elizterrel

You should be well protected with Kevlar!
https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/materials-science/kevlar

REPLY
1 reply
Profile picture for howardgm
howardgm | @howardgm | Apr 2 10:58am
In reply to @emrose "Very interesting thread. I would like to try a GLP-1, but unfortunately Medicare doesn't cover it..." + (show)
Profile picture for emrose @emrose

Very interesting thread. I would like to try a GLP-1, but unfortunately Medicare doesn't cover it and I cant afford it.
I also have reservations about any gastrointestinal side effects. I already have issues I believe are from prednisone and Rinvoq. I was already overweight but losing, slowly then diagnosed with PMR and later with GCA. I find it almost impossible to lose now despite low calorie, low carb diet, but at least I'm not gaining.
I've read that GLP1 drugs can also help with inflammation, and wonder at some point would that help to get insurance coverage.

Jump to this post

@emrose
I have been on Zepbound for 6 months and have lost about 25 pounds. No side effects and I do feel better overall but still have inflammation and pain. I am on Kevzara, which is wonderful. I’d like to wean off but my body tells me when I get near the next dose.

REPLY
1 reply
Profile picture for csimmonds
csimmonds | @csimmonds | May 2 7:02pm

I have been tapering my prednisone but having difficulty going off completely. Pain returns and fatigue. I have an appointment with my primary this week and am going to ask about trying GLP-1, I appreciate reading about the experience of others. I will also check with other specialists I see, Oncologist, Nephrologist, and Gastroenterologist, as far as complications. Reducing inflammation from PMR is not a qualifier for Medicare I assume. I don't think any other condition I have does either so cost may prohibit me from using it. I am overweight but don't know if I am enough overweight to qualify. I will be interested to hear what my primary has to say.

REPLY
Profile picture for christine91
christine91 | @christine91 | May 4 7:16am

GLP-1 drugs have not reduced my PMR symptoms. I was on Zepbound, and recently went off it because I had the nasty side effect of allodynia. If anything, my PMR feels better since going off Zepbound, definitely not worse. (I am at a 5 mg prednisone taper.)
I know GLP-1 drugs are anti inflammatory but I have found that they are not a cure all. As we know, a lot of the science around GLP-1 is in the early stages. There is no mention of allodynia in Zepbound literature. I discovered the correlation by looking up "allodynia causes." Allodynia is listed as an emerging side effect of Zepbound.

REPLY
Profile picture for judy15
judy15 | @judy15 | May 4 2:50pm

Thanks for the info on those drugs. I wanted to try them but my Rheumatologist said they would not work so I guess he was right.
Have you tried anything else besides prednisone?

REPLY
Profile picture for tyman23
tyman23 | @tyman23 | May 8 5:51am
In reply to @kathleendw "@randersonccc I tried three different statins but all caused a lot of pain so switched to..." + (show)
Profile picture for kathleendw @kathleendw

@randersonccc I tried three different statins but all caused a lot of pain so switched to Repatha. It worked like a dream but I had to stop because United Healthcare stopped covering it.

Jump to this post

@kathleendw so sick and tired of united health care! They clearly don’t care about their clients, all about the money.

REPLY
Profile picture for jabrown0407
jabrown0407 | @jabrown0407 | May 9 5:19am
In reply to @howardgm "@emrose I have been on Zepbound for 6 months and have lost about 25 pounds. No..." + (show)
Profile picture for howardgm @howardgm

@emrose
I have been on Zepbound for 6 months and have lost about 25 pounds. No side effects and I do feel better overall but still have inflammation and pain. I am on Kevzara, which is wonderful. I’d like to wean off but my body tells me when I get near the next dose.

Jump to this post

@howardgm How often do you take Kevzara and is it an infusion or is it a self-administered home injectable?

REPLY
1 reply
Please sign in or register to post a reply.