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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)Comment receiving replies
No medical professional has suggested I be tested for adrenal insufficiency. I am going to a new primary care provider next week and I will ask to be tested for it.
I feel pretty good on Actemra. My only complaint now is overwhelming fatigue. I have read it can be caused by adrenal insufficiency. However I have to wonder if it isn’t a consequence of long Covid. The Covid virus can reactivate the Epstein Barr virus 90% of us carry in a latent form. That deactivation can lead to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.
Interesting you said you also suffered severe sweating episodes from prednisone? That was a horrible side effect for me. I was made to feel like I was crazy by most medical personnel to think it was the steroid causing that. Not that I am off prednisone that has drastically improved. Hmmmm…..
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The profuse sweating was a huge problem for me. I used to do some vigorous exercise so I could sweat when it was appropriate.
I was once on a walking tour and the weather was a perfect 70 degrees. I was drenched in sweat and I couldn't stop perspiring. I was so embarrassed by it that I stayed in the back of the group so nobody else would get wet.
I refrained from drinking any water hoping to purposely get dehydrated and I would stop sweating. I must have lost gallons of fluid but still the sweating wouldn't stop. It wasn't like it was hot weather or anything. I was just strolling along on a walking tour. I didn't understand why nobody else was sweating.
These kinds of episodes would only happen occasionally but often enough to cause me some distress. I never knew when these episodes might happen. I never told my doctors thinking they would laugh about it.
Yes, those episodes have stopped happening since I have been off prednisone.
The overwhelming fatigue is a symptom of adrenal insufficiency. I would get so exhausted by a simple shower. Being that exhausted isn't such a good thing when one is sweating profusely.