Connect
← Return to How does Kevzara help with PMR symptoms and pain? I am being weaned
Discussion
How does Kevzara help with PMR symptoms and pain? I am being weaned
Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) | Last Active: Jan 13 7:45am | Replies (54)Comment receiving replies
I knew you’d have intel 🙂
I’ve just been hearing about the skinny side effect profile for these new drug entries. I can’t say I’m beset with side effects - thinning hair, etc, but I do believe and can’t prove that my “non smokers” lung cancer was a RA or RA treatment “gift”.
But what grabbed my attention was the question about whether it is a decent substitute for Presnisone. You may remember I had a 20mg Prednisone a few weeks ago, tapering over 16 days. It was the first time in 40 years I had any steroid because I had a psych reaction to that dose for ruptured disc. But this time. Wow. Pain free - even my rib pain from the lobectomy and my knee pain from life. . Energy.. Euphoria. As a child of the 60’s and 70’s, I will just ask how they missed prednisone.? 🙄 but it turns bone to sponge. So when I saw the question of whether Kevzara and Actemra were questionable subs for prednisone, my question is whether it delivers similar benefits?
Replies to "I knew you’d have intel :) I’ve just been hearing about the skinny side effect profile..."
So Pam, I have been on Kevzara since October along with 2.5 prednisone. Tuesday was my last day on prednisone and now Kevzara is carrying the load. I have had 6 injections and my 7th is next Tuesday. Still too soon to be sure there will be no flare but in a couple of weeks I will know for sure. Absolutely no side effects from Kevzara and so easy to inject.
Good Luck
😎🇱🇷
Connect
I think a prednisone burst for RA is okay as long as you are able to taper off quickly. Prednisone puts out the "flame" but the inflammation is probably still smoldering underneath. I took prednisone bursts for 15 years for flares of reactive arthritis and uveitis. I never needed prednisone on a long term basis like it was prescribed for PMR.
My prednisone was prescribed in large doses by my ophthalmologist for uveitis. I was very adept at taking 60 mg of prednisone and tapering off in a couple of weeks. One time I needed 100 mg of prednisone. I had Energy ... and Euphoria too. I actually asked my ophthalmolgist why prednisone wasn't a controlled substance. My ophthalmogist thought I might be feeling too good since I was on the verge of losing my eyesight in my left eye. Fortunately my eye started to respond to a split dose of 100 mg of prednisone and I tapered off quickly. I also came down from my highly euphoric state.
I would always have low level symptoms which is the smoldering inflammation that never ends. I think the smoldering inflammation caused long term damage. I have arthritis everywhere they look but it is called "degenerative arthritis" as compared to "inflammatory arthritis." I think my arthritis is more likely due to chronic low level inflammation even though I could always stop the flares quickly and reliably.
When PMR was diagnosed, it was the first time I ever took prednisone on a long term basis --- daily for 12 years. I acquired additional "prednisone related" medical conditions. I think nearly everything that happened was caused by a long term prednisone treatment "gift." My doctors could never explain why things would happen to me but they would always suggest prednisone played a role along with chronic "systemic inflammation."
Have you been diagnosed with PMR along with RA? I'm always interested in people with a dual diagnosis of inflammatory arthritis and PMR.
The reason why Actema seem to be an improvement for me over long term prednisone is that the goal of Actemra is to stop flares from occurring. I haven't had any flares in 3 years while on Actemra. My rheumatologist thinks I have finally achieved a "long term remission." I also think Actemra has eliminated the smoldering inflammation so I don't need to take any prednisone anymore.
I haven't had any additional problems due to taking Actemra. I hope it stays that way. Hopefully I can get off Actemra too. Time will tell.