Kevzara and Diverticulosis and pmr

Posted by ronludington @ronludington, Jun 20 9:49am

Started kevzara September of 25. Had a colonoscopy January 26. They found a few smallmouth diverticola in the sigmoid colon. Nothing was said about the kevzara. I'm down to 1 mg prednisone and about to go off of it shortly. I'm wondering if I should really be stopping the kevzara and if I do, I'm afraid of a pmr flare. I'm borderline still with it now, I'd say 80% pain free, but still with the wonderful shoulder pain when reaching high. But according to AI, I'm perfectly OK and should be congratulated on my taper... lol

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Mike | @dadcue | Jun 20 12:22pm

I think that would be a decision your doctor needs to make.

For people in the PMR age group, it is likely that we all have some diverticulosis. Many people aren't even aware if they have diverticulosis. It isn't an absolute exclusion and doesn't mean you are required to stop Kevzara.

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A bigger worry would be having a history of diverticulitis. There are many medications including Prednisone that should be avoided if that was the case.
https://www.verywellhealth.com/drugs-to-avoid-with-diverticulitis-7376359

stonewheel | @stonewheel | Jun 21 8:50am

Hi.
Damned if you do and damned if you don’t.
Both Prednisone and Kevzara list diverticulosis as a side-effect.
Pick your poison.
I picked both.
My PCP put me on Omeprazole the same day he started me on Prednisone. I asked why and he said, “to save your gut.” I take it every morning an hour before I take Prednisone. I’m taking Kevzara and tapering Prednisone. I don’t feel any problem and I trust the Omeprazole it’s doing it’s job and protecting my gut. Time will tell.
Are you taking anything to protect your gut?

rickman | @rickman | Jun 21 9:24am

Yea. The shoulder pain is like shards of glass. Has Kevzara caused any stomach issues?

ronludington | @ronludington | Jun 21 10:09am

In reply to @stonewheel "Hi. Damned if you do and damned if you don’t. Both Prednisone and Kevzara list diverticulosis..." + (show)

@stonewheel I'm on omeprazol 40mg 2x a day. But have been on it for years. Reflux,

ronludington | @ronludington | Jun 21 10:10am

In reply to @rickman "Yea. The shoulder pain is like shards of glass. Has Kevzara caused any stomach issues?" + (show)

@rickman not as yet, but I'm also on omeprazol, so that may be counteracting it.

Mary Kelly Dunn | @mlz | Jun 21 11:44am

In reply to @stonewheel "Hi. Damned if you do and damned if you don’t. Both Prednisone and Kevzara list diverticulosis..." + (show)

@stonewheel
Hi @stonewheel
My physician prescribed pantoprazole, a proton pump inhibitor to reduce stomach acid, like omeprazole. When your doctor said gut, I think he meant stomach, not intestines.

stonewheel | @stonewheel | Jun 22 10:30am

In reply to @mlz "@stonewheel Hi @stonewheel My physician prescribed pantoprazole, a proton pump inhibitor to reduce stomach acid, like..." + (show)

@mlz
Yes, proton pump inhibitor.
Thank you. I eat very cleanly.
Few, if any spices, no added salt, never added sugar and no capsaicin foods like chile peppers. Vegan plus fish and eggs. No dairy. Moroccan olive oil.
I’m at war and food is my ammunition, that’s my mentality. I eat what I should and as often as I should, whether I like it or not. I was that way before PMR, but with blinders on now.

Mary Kelly Dunn | @mlz | Jun 22 1:00pm

In reply to @stonewheel "@mlz Yes, proton pump inhibitor. Thank you. I eat very cleanly. Few, if any spices, no..." + (show)

@stonewheel
Oh gosh. I wish I were able to be as careful about sugar. It is my downfall. I am a year into PMR and am okay most days meaning not much pain (even on Kevzara) and it's tolerable. I eat only whole foods except for white sugar. I made a Dutch baby for my husband and me this morning. I put cinnamon sugar on it and fresh berries. I will not do that again! I am having my right hip replaced on July 28th (if my echocardiogram is okay). I will make a promise to you and me to be better. At 80 surgery is tough.

stonewheel | @stonewheel | Jun 22 8:52pm

I wish the best for you with the hip replacement. I’m on Kevzara too, since February, but not off Prednisone yet. 2.5/day this week. Prednisone makes me pay a high price to be PMR pain free.
Too many negative side effects.
I’ll bet those Dutch Babies are good!
Randy

jabrown0407 | @jabrown0407 | Jun 22 8:54pm

I was on Tyenne (Actemra bio-similar drug) and managed to have a mild case of diverticulitis 90 days into my weekly injections. My Rheumy stopped the Tyenne immediately.
We are now considering Kevzara (I have PMR and GCA). I would be on a Kevzara 150mg every other week. Know you have options. I am not sure if I will move to Kevzara or not, I am still considering the option.
I would not wish diverticulitis on anyone - it was horrid and I had a mild case. If it is moderate or severe you will need to be hospitalized for anti-biotic IVs. My GI doctor is supportive of my going on Kevzara and he is supportive of my not going on it also.