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PMR Dosages and Managing Symptoms
Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) | Last Active: Jun 1 1:21pm | Replies (445)Comment receiving replies
Three mg is the lowest dose I have taken since starting prednisone almost exactly a year ago. Most of this time I have been decreasing at 1 mg per month, but speeded up the decrease when I started the Kevzara.
I do not have an endocrinologist involved, only a rheumatologist. We have not discussed cortisol or adrenals at all.
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Just be aware of the symptoms of secondary adrenal insufficiency from long term prednisone use. Interestingly, symptoms of secondary adrenal insufficiency can mimic PMR symptoms.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32031663/#:~:text=Adrenal%20insufficiency%20can%20cause%20reluctance,treated%20patients%20with%20PMR%2FGCA.Most people aren't aware of this. Many people are able to successfully taper off prednisone slowly without adrenal problems. It isn't just "old man stuff" that is hard to distinguish from PMR. When secondary adrenal insufficiency becomes a factor, it is hard to distinguish from PMR too.
For me, I still have some problems with old man stuff. When my doctors look at how long I took prednisone, they are convinced that some of my problems are related to how long I took prednisone for my autoimmune problems.
My rheumatologist says I have a "full range" of things but she was very happy I am finally off prednisone while PMR stays in remission. Unfortunately, my rheumatologist seems very reluctant to stop Actemra anytime soon. Fortunately, I don't seem to have any side effects from Actemra.
If and when Actemra stops working, my rheumatologist says I can try Kevzara. Unlike prednisone, it is relatively easy to stop Actemra as long as PMR stays in remission.