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Prednisone tapering is challenging. What does remission feel like?
Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) | Last Active: Sep 3, 2023 | Replies (209)Comment receiving replies
Hi @lawhoeburg, Connect was really helpful for me also when I was tapering off of prednisone my 2nd time around with PMR. I don't think it's wishful thinking for hoping to never have a flare up again of PMR. I had 6 years of remission after my first occurrence of PMR and I'm now going on 5+ years of remission from my second time around with PMR. I'm definitely hoping it never rears it's ugly head again! I feel a little better this time around even though I just turned 80. Since my first bout of PMR, I started making some lifestyle changes, lost some weight, eating healthier with less inflammatory foods, exercising daily when I can, and eliminating processed foods and greatly reducing the amount of sugar intake.
I think I would check with a pharmacist if you plan to keep a stash around after your PMR goes into remission. Here is some information on expiration dates that might be helpful.
--- Drug expiry debate: the myth and the reality: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7040264/
Replies to "Hi @lawhoeburg, Connect was really helpful for me also when I was tapering off of prednisone..."
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This is such a difficult issue. I still have a prednisone stash that I haven't used in years. I have every dose strength 1 -5 -10 and 20 mg tablets. All of my bottles have a dispense date in 2019 and a discard date in 2020. I even have hydrocortisone with instructions "take as directed in case of emergency." but that has expired without any emergency. I guess I will throw it all away and put it all behind me.
I just looked at 2 unopened boxes of Humira injections. I was told to stop taking Humira when supplies of Actemra improved. The expiration date on those boxes is 06/2023. I didn't pay anything for them but I know what each carton costs.
https://www.drugs.com/medical-answers/humira-cost-without-insurance-3537595/
I don't feel comfortable giving them to anyone and I wouldn't sell them either. The pharmacy won't take them back. Humira didn't really work well for me but I guess that I will keep the cartons in the refrigerator awhile longer.