My experience with member benefits with KPNC is that they know less than medical specialists when it comes to medical necessity regarding medications, etc. not on the Kaiser formulary or FDA approved. I was denied serum tears for a severe eye condition prior to my PMR diagnosis although Kaisers Regional Corneal Specialist said it was covered. We persisted and I’m now receiving Vital Tears at no cost made from my blood because it’s a blood product not a medication.

In January I had onset PMR following a Shingles vaccine.
The corneal specialist said there was no inflammation in my eyes relieving fears of GCA. In May, my vision declined and the same specialist noted inflammation in both eyes but from allergies. This is being treated with prednisone drops along with my oral doses for PMR. Very scary. I return for a checkup next Thursday. With fingers crossed I pray for good news.

My rheumatologist said my temporal artery pulse is good and inflammatory markers are down so not GCA. I’m approaching 5mg of prednisone hoping my adrenal gland will function and I can smoothly finish taper in 5 months.