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How hard is it to get on Actemra (Tocilizumab) with PMR?

Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) | Last Active: Apr 2, 2023 | Replies (51)
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@nanamichaela

I was on Actemra for several months a couple of years ago. My doctor’s office had to do quite a bit of work to get the insurance company to ok it. I had the injections monthly and everything was going great until it wasn’t. I had tapered off the prednisone and I was only on the Actemra when I got diverticulitis. The doctor took me off the Actemra, and for three months I was on no medication. Then I got GCA which started the prednisone journey all over again! I then wen on Xeljanz which was working and I, once again, went off prednisone for eight months until I had GCA again. Now back on 60 milligrams and waiting for the next medication to replace the prednisone.

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Replies to "I was on Actemra for several months a couple of years ago. My doctor’s office had..."
DadCue | @dadcue | Mar 21, 2023

I'm wondering why Xeljanz was tried? My rheumatologist at the University Hospital recommended Xeljanz as an alternative to Actemra when it was in short supply due to Covid. She said the following:

"One thought: Actemra works for one thing.... Humira for the other... ask them about a trial of Xeljanz (which also isn't FDA approved for either uveitis or PMR, but might work, and you would only be able to get it through the VA)."

I can safely say Humira didn't work for me.

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