1. < Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR)

Kevzara and Prednisone Tapering before and during Kevzara

Posted by mikeydee @mikeydee, Jul 3, 2023

I recently stated with Kevzara and I am interested in those who are currently on prednisone and Kevzara.
I would like to know...
1. What was your starting dosage of prednisone and how long have your been taking prednisone?
2. What was your daily dose of prednisone before Kevzara?
3. What was your prednisone tapering schedule before starting Kevzara?
4. What was your lowest dosage of prednisone before Kevzara and did you have difficulty dropping below that dose?
5. What is your tapering schedule now that you are on Kevzara?
6. How successful has this schedule been so far and have you had any flare ups?
7. What is your target date for stopping prednisone?
8. What changes have you noticed in your health, aches and energy level since starting Kevzara?
Please feel free to add any more information that might be helpful to those contemplating starting Kevzara or those currently on Kevzara
Thanks
Mike

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

grumpa | @grumpa | Jan 5 6:25pm

I just started Kevzara, have had 2 injections . I am currently at 10mg/day. I have an appointment o Wednesday and will find my reduction schedule . Have had no side effects that I’m aware of. Hopefully it will help to get off prednisone as I’ve been on them since 2011 for PMR.

REPLY
* | @cindy2021 | 5 days ago
In reply to @walkamok "Hello all, Several folks asked me to report on my Kevzara experience when I could, so..." + (show)
@walkamok

Hello all,
Several folks asked me to report on my Kevzara experience when I could, so here goes. PMR began for me overnight in November of 2022. I do not recall the initial dose but I do remember that it was extremely effective right from the start. I have felt zero side effects from prednisone use, and a dxa scan a month or two ago showed normal bone density. I was lucky.
I started Kevzara in November of 2023. At the time I was at 5 mg prednisone (a split dose) with the pain under control. By the time I got down to 2 mg I was in moderate pain and also had difficulty using my right hand due to "severe" carpal tunnel syndrome. I had that fixed and my rheumy in consultation with my surgeon decided to bump me up to 20 mg briefly, followed by a fast taper. When I was back down to 5 mg I went to a regimen in which every other Sunday I took my Kezvara and dropped one mg, and finally on March 27 I took my last 1-mg pill...touch wood. No pain at present aside from normal old guy stuff. Am I in remission? Is the next step a taper off the Kezvara? TBD! No side effects from the Kezvara. Again, lucky.
Attached is my plot of the last few months of this journey, although my spreadsheet goes all the way back to December of 2022. I have found the plot to be a useful tool for seeing how things are going. If anybody is interested in this approach let me know and I will send you the spreadsheet. Just erase my data in the table and put in yours...the plot updates automatically.
Good luck...to all of us.

Jump to this post

.

REPLY
dlhouck | @dlhouck | 4 days ago

1. What was your starting dosage of prednisone and how long have your been taking prednisone? Started on 20mg, 13 months ago.
2. What was your daily dose of prednisone before Kevzara? 10mg, and I was unable to go less w/o a flare.
3. What was your prednisone tapering schedule before starting Kevzara? 1 mg every 2-4 weeks.
4. What was your lowest dosage of prednisone before Kevzara and did you have difficulty dropping below that dose? 10mg, and I was unable to go below.
5. What is your tapering schedule now that you are on Kevzara? 1 MG month
6. How successful has this schedule been so far and have you had any flare ups? Going well so far. No setback flares, only manageable pain and stiffness around the time of drop that lessens with each Kevzara shot. (every 2 weeks)
7. What is your target date for stopping prednisone? June
8. What changes have you noticed in your health, aches and energy level since starting Kevzara? Minor abdominal rash for 1-2 days for the first couple of shots. Nothing afterwards, just prednisone reduction side effects like fatigue and stiffness, but lesser the lower I go.

REPLY
View MoreView Less
Please sign in or register to post a reply.