Connect
← Return to Kevzara and Prednisone Tapering before and during Kevzara
Discussion
Kevzara and Prednisone Tapering before and during Kevzara
Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) | Last Active: 10 hours ago | Replies (124)Comment receiving replies
I started Pred in July of last year when diagnosed with PMR. I started at 20 mgs. In August I started Kevzara injections every two weeks. I reduced Pred by 2.5mgs every two weeks. I was off Pred by the middle of November and have only been on Kevzara since Nov 17th. I have been doing an injection every 2 weeks until February then started to have trouble with my WBC and Absolute Neutriphils being two low. This is a side effect from Kevzara. I moved to once a month injections and doing great. Now we are moving the injection out to 5weeks, then 6 weeks, 7 week etc. Hoping no breakthrough pain and I can slowly get off all medication. My CRP and other tests have been normal. Hoping for the best.
Replies to "I started Pred in July of last year when diagnosed with PMR. I started at 20..."
@laurelfagan Thanks for your post. I am on a similar course ( I hope) -- started Prednisone 20 mg in February, began Tyenne (tocilizumab) in April, reduced prednisone at the same rate, took last dose 2 days ago, so far so good. It's good to know that eventually I may be able to stretch out the Tyenne injections. Only side effect from Tyenne (so far) is more frequent bowel movements. Any tips on how to manage this from others on biologics?
Connect
@laurelfagan
I'm impressed with how quickly you tapered off Prednisone after Kevzara was started. The sooner the better in my opinion. I was told that I should take Prednisone for the rest of my life instead of trying a biologic. That was a long time ago when Prednisone was called the "best option" and the "only option." I'm happy that you transitioned to Kevzara so soon.
I now do a monthly infusion of Actemra (tocilizumab). Since I took prednisone for more than 12 years it took me about a year to taper off orednisone after Actemra was started. I had the same experience with my WBC's and Absolute Neutrophils being low but that was only temporary. After I tapered off Prednisone, my doctor wasn't too concerned and said my infection risk wasn't any higher. My infusion dose was decreased which was easy to do.
I have also gone 5 weeks, 6 weeks and 7 weeks between infusions. I didn't feel any worse but my rheumatologist didn't want me to go 8 weeks without an infusion. I thought I could go 8 weeks . My ESR and CRP levels were increasing but my pain level was not increasing.
I have been on Actemra for 7 years. Other than the temporary decrease in my WBC's, I haven't had any other side effects. My rheumatologists doesn't want me to stop Actemra which wasn't the case when I needed Prednisone for 12 years.
Since I tapered off Prednisone 5 years ago, my rheuatologist doesn't want to change much of anything. However, I have stopped about 7 other medications that were treating prednisone side effects. My PCP said she liked deprescribing the old medications I was on a lot more than prescribing another new medication when I was taking Prednisone.