Reducing predisone side effects

@kjoed53 It was ok....my CRP went down some more; the sed rate went up a bit... but both markers are in the normal range. And I got approved for Kevzara,but I'm not sure I wanna get on that. I asked if I could do Kevzara for only a few months to help me step off prednisone quicker .She said that is a do-able plan,so I'm considering that. Pick your poison! It'll be great to get those adrenals active again though,at some point.

@mp71
My rheumatologist sent the prescription today for kevzara. I'm down to 7.5mg prednisone and the pain has gone from mild to moderate, but my hip pain is affecting my sleep again since I am a side sleeper. I'll be down to 6.5 or 6mg by the time I get my first delivery of kevzara if what the pharmacy told me holds true. If you go on kevzara have you discussed spreading out your shots to taper off that instead of just quitting?

@mp71
My rheumatologist sent the prescription today for kevzara. I'm down to 7.5mg prednisone and the pain has gone from mild to moderate, but my hip pain is affecting my sleep again since I am a side sleeper. I'll be down to 6.5 or 6mg by the time I get my first delivery of kevzara if what the pharmacy told me holds true. If you go on kevzara have you discussed spreading out your shots to taper off that instead of just quitting?

@kjoed53 She told me I'd take a shot every 2 weeks while still on some dose of prednisone..Not really sure how this whole regimen is going to play out yet...you're thinking maybe 1 shot every 3 weeks, for example? Since I'll be taking prednisone too. I'm sorry you're still in pain. Are your markers high?

@kjoed53 Kevzara need to know…..it can take UP TO 3 months to kick in.
My story…..was at 8-9 mg pred when I went in a Kevzara. Was pain free at each taper of pred before tapering again. By 3 months, off all pred and pain free .

My Dr. neglected to tell me that Kev would help me get off Pred. (I did not want another drug) once I understood being able to get off Pred it was easy peasy decision. Kev helps with the inflammation…..I was 11 months good numbers and stopped Kev. Did not work, my CRP went up to much and went back in Kev to stop it.

I gather most people, stay on it a year minimum. Your adrenals return will determine a lot. Good luck.

@mp71
My markers are still high but not nearly as high as when I started. I'm not saying to start at 3 weeks, but yes instead of just stopping altogether. It takes a while for the kevzara to take full effect, but after you have tapered off prednisone, I've heard you can try stretching out the shots to three weeks, and if that works then four weeks to avoid a flare before you quit taking it.

@kjoed53 Yes, she did say it takes 3 months to get the full effect of Kevzara....but am I gonna take kevzara to get off prednisone? Or am i taking prednisone to get off kevzara at that point? Still up in the air. I guess that will depend on how well I am tolerating it. I am taking a natural supplement called amla...its just Indian gooseberry....It's supposed to lower inflammation markers.. I have no way of knowing if it works,except my markers are normal. But probably due to prednisone. Not a big fan of pharmaceuticals....

@kjoed53 Yes, she did say it takes 3 months to get the full effect of Kevzara....but am I gonna take kevzara to get off prednisone? Or am i taking prednisone to get off kevzara at that point? Still up in the air. I guess that will depend on how well I am tolerating it. I am taking a natural supplement called amla...its just Indian gooseberry....It's supposed to lower inflammation markers.. I have no way of knowing if it works,except my markers are normal. But probably due to prednisone. Not a big fan of pharmaceuticals....