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How often does PMR progress to GCA?
Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) | Last Active: Mar 29 2:47pm | Replies (115)Comment receiving replies
Hi John,
Thanks for your work with this forum. It’s a great resource for patients to connect with each other and learn from their experiences.
I am in my 4th year with GCA, on prednisone, and also Actemra since 12/22, and struggling with a relapse. I was thinking that the Actemra infusions would allow me to taper off the prednisone, got to 1.5 mg and had scalp tenderness, temporal pain and have had to go to 30 mg prednisone to relieve symptoms. So it’s pretty disappointing. This is the 3rd relapse I’ve had.
I am a retired medical lab scientist and stay educated on health issues, have read up on PMR/GCA extensively. Blogs like this one and especially Health Unlocked (I think that’s the one, in the UK) have been so helpful.
Thank you.
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I’m so sorry to hear you’ve had relapses. My husband was diagnosed with PMR in May 2023 and GCA in February 2024. He’s on prednisone (80 mg due to his case being severe and resistant to treatment initially) and also started Actemra injections this week. I’m really hoping he doesn’t get relapses because his GCA already landed him in the ER. This has been so frightening especially the day I saw his temples start swelling. I wish you the very best and hope this 3rd relapse will be your last.