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Rheum wants Kevzara but Methotrexate much cheaper, work as well?
Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) | Last Active: 12 hours ago | Replies (58)Comment receiving replies
I have been on prednisone for 8 years and could never get below 5 mg and always hovered around 8 mg as the most effective zone. I tried MTX for 10 months and I must say that it was the worse 10 months for me. I experienced so much fatigue. I had to rest between doing 30 minute jobs around the house. Also, I would eat small amounts and always feel nauseous or have an upset stomach within 90 minutes. Then I started getting the metal taste in my mouth. To top it all off, I never got below 5 mg of prednisone.
I have been on Kevzara for 2 months. Have my energy back. No nausea. Metal taste is just about gone. I sleep well. I reduced to 5 mg of Prednisone and by going slowly hope to continue downward. I have been reducing by 1/2 mg per week. I’ll probably stay at 5 mg for a few weeks as that’s a crucial number when reducing. I feel like my old self again.
Good luck with your drug journey.
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@lynnfromoro Tx for sharing your experience, lynn. Good luck!
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@lynnfromoro
Thanks for sharing your experience with me. I'm sorry you've been on Prednisone so long and that your experience with Methotrexate was so bad. I feel that it'd probably be very similar for myself. I have sleep apnea and use C-PAP, and have chronic pain so they already can make me tired, and then the PMR on top. Then the nausea would be a big problem too. I would like to have Kevzara as a possibility, but I'm pretty sure it's going to be far too expensive for me. I have a Medicare Advantage insurance plan but it's not on formulary and requires prior authorization. If you have no insurance it's over $4,000.00 a month! So even if they cover it, and I have a copay, it'll probably be close to at least $1,000.00 a month. I'm not positive, but I can't see them paying too much of the cost. If they do, that'd be great, but will have to see. Somehow, money always becomes a barrier for people with RXs that can be life altering or life saving. We wouldn't qualify for help from the Manufacturer so that wouldn't work either.
Thank you again for sharing your story with me. It gives me hope. May you continue to taper and become Prednisone free after all these years. Blessings to you.