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PMR: Are there treatment alternatives to Prednisone?
Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) | Last Active: Jan 11 7:08am | Replies (175)Comment receiving replies
I was diagnosed with PMR on Jan 25 of last year. Today, Jan 9, 2024 doc has taken me off prednisone entirely to see if Kevzara can carry the whole load. I took my last (hopefully, 2.5 prednisone) this morning. I have had 6 injections of Kevzara and his position is that the biologic is fully active in my system. Needless to say I am delighted to be off prednisone at age 82. I feel absolutely fine all things considered and really think that prednisone is in the rear view mirror while realizing that PMR is chronic and may rear up again. There are alternatives to prednisone for the long haul.
Replies to "I was diagnosed with PMR on Jan 25 of last year. Today, Jan 9, 2024 doc..."
To Wilmington Emperor.
I am still waiting to see if I have been approved for financial assistance for Kevzara. I am so encouraged to know that you had such good results. I’m curious if your 6 injections were over a three month period. Is the plan to stop the Kezvara or do you just reduce the number of injections over time to hopefully get off of that too? I remember you said you were taking 20 mg when you started Kevzara so it’s impressive that you were able to get to 0mg (Jan 9) with the help of Kevzara.
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That is a good outlook to have, I really hope prednisone is now in your past.
I have been completely off prednisone for the past 2 years. My very first dose of Actemra was January 1, 2019. My rheumatologist said Actemra was my best and perhaps only chance of ever getting off prednisone. I was on prednisone for chronic and refractory PMR for 13 years. Not only did I get off prednisone, I also was able to discontinue several other medications that were treating prednisone side effects.
My rheumatologist now says Kevzara might be another option for me if Actemra stops working.
My understanding is that PMR is only in remission while I'm still taking Actemra. My rheumatologist says PMR isn't ever going to "go away" completely but remission is the next best thing.
I'm not sure what remission is. However, my rheumatologist never thought I was in remission on prednisone because I was always symptomatic. Now I'm symptom free of PMR.
I will be going to an Actemra infusion every 5 weeks in 2024. It is the first steps taken to see if I can get off Actemra