Promising New Drug for PMR

Well, I see it is clickable after all. Before I posted, it didn't seem to be. I hope this will be interesting for this group. I know we all dislike taking steroid treatment, but for most of us it's the only effective option.

Seems very promising, thanks, @scpartain, In the USA Xeljanz is very expensive, but not overseas. If my doctor agrees, perhaps I can take a prescription to Portugal in March!

Isn't that crazy! This shows promise, are there clinical trials in this country involving Xeljanz? Would be good to see more robust numbers.

https://www.xeljanz.com

I contracted Polymyalgia and GCA early 2021. Prednisone until 11/21, plus Actemra since 03/21. I reduced Actemra to every 14 days for 2022 and now only every 21 days. All tests are good. Also on Travaprost.004 eye drops as Prdnisone can cause glaucoma. I now have arthritis in the shoulder and neck from an old bike injury. Has anyone else developed other types of arthritis and if so what meds have they used or changed too ?

@khmc
Do you have a plan for getting off Actemra in the future?? I have taken Actemra for 4 years now and off prednisone for 3 years. My rheumatologist doesn’t seem to be in any rush to stop Actemra anytime soon and just says I’m “better off” being on Actemra and off prednisone.

Welcome @khmc, It sounds like your like your PMR and GCA are under control with only taking Actemra every 21 days but you have arthritis in the shoulder and neck from an injury. My PMR is in remission and I'm not currently on any medication for the PMR. I also have arthritis in the hands, knees and probably the shoulders along with degenerative arthritis in the back but I'm not on any pain meds.

Are the Travapost eye drops being used to treat an eye disease or ocular hypertension?

My doctor says the same thing. I hope to continue to extend the time between doses to 30 days

The eye drops are to prevent glaucoma as GCA can cause high pressure.