Anyone tried Actemra (Tocilizumab) to treat PMR? FDA approved for GCA

Posted by DadCue @dadcue, Dec 29, 2020

I was diagnosed with PMR in 2007 which was in addition to reactive arthritis with recurring uveitis which was diagnosed in the early 1990's. I have taken prednisone daily since PMR was diagnosed. My average prednisone dose over the years was probably 25 mg daily and never less than 10 mg without having a severe flare. I have tried several DMARDs as steroid sparing agents but none of them worked well. I had given up hope that I would ever taper off prednisone.

Twelve years of prednisone has taken a toll and my rheumatologist would say my medical history is "complicated". With that in mind, my rheumatologist asked if I would be willing to try Actemra (Tocilizumab) which I started January 1st, 2019. The past two years have been even more complicated but I was prednisone free for most of 2020.

I would say PMR is in remission however I do have arthritic pain which I guess is due to reactive arthritis and aging. I also experienced a flare of uveitis which had been dormant during my PMR years when I was taking prednisone daily. My ophthalmologist prescribed Humira because she thought it would be a better biologic for uveitis. Actemra worked better for for the chronic pain I associate with PMR so I opted to go back on Actemra.

Has anyone else tried Actemra for PMR? It is only FDA approved for GCA.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) Support Group.

I HAVE BEEN GETTING INFUSION OF ACTEMRA FOR ABOUT 3 MONTHS..IT HAS HELPED.BUT I DO NOT
KNOW HOW LONG I WILL BE ON IT..GLAD TO BE OFF PREDISONE.
TRINA

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I HAVE BEEN ON ACTEMRA INFUSION FOR ABOUT 3 MONTHS, IT HAS HELPED..GLAD TO BE OFF
PREDISIONE.TRINA

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