1. < Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR)
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Painful Kevzara Injection

Posted by kwahearn @kwahearn, Jul 13 5:12pm

I'm a 73-year-old female in otherwise good health, but was diagnosed with PMR in August 2024. After tapering down from 20 mg/day Prednisone to zero, then taking methotrexate (8- 2.5 tablets weekly), I had my first Kevzara injection last week. I was pleased that the self-injection pen needle did not hurt very much, but I was shocked at how painful the medicine was as it entered the subcutaneous layer of my abdomen. (I had set it out from the refrigerator for 2 hours prior to injection.) Has anyone else had the same pain?

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devou56 | @devou56 | Jul 23 8:10am

My rheumatologist told me to take 1000mg Tylenol and 1 Claritin an hour before my Kevzara. It really helped the pain

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janiceellen | @janiceellen | Jul 23 10:57am
In reply to @kwahearn "I left it out overnight in a warm room and had negligible pain this time! Thanks..." + (show)
Profile picture for kwahearn @kwahearn

I left it out overnight in a warm room and had negligible pain this time! Thanks for the suggestion.

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Thank you for the hints for injection of kevzara!
I am on 3 mg pred now after 2 years of up and down tapering . I start kevzara Friday. Can anyone give me an idea what kind of relief you experienced. I’m hoping the drug will help considerably . I was on methotrexate also w the pred and caused a lot of fatigue . It’s been a roller coaster .

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janiceellen | @janiceellen | Jul 23 11:13am
In reply to @kwahearn "I left it out overnight in a warm room and had negligible pain this time! Thanks..." + (show)
Profile picture for kwahearn @kwahearn

I left it out overnight in a warm room and had negligible pain this time! Thanks for the suggestion.

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I’m starting kevzara , what kind of relief did you experience? Looking forward to relief!

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tweetypie13 | @tweetypie13 | Jul 23 11:54am
In reply to @janiceellen "I’m starting kevzara , what kind of relief did you experience? Looking forward to relief!" + (show)
Profile picture for janiceellen @janiceellen

I’m starting kevzara , what kind of relief did you experience? Looking forward to relief!

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Relief, I did not have a lot of discomfort when I started. So relief was more mental than physical. Keep in mind it takes up to 3 months to be effective (they say).
Good luck
PS: I was at 8mg prednisone, am at “0” now , self taper. I have had 9 injections (18 weeks) and am 79 yo woman.

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kwahearn | @kwahearn | Jul 23 1:39pm
In reply to @devou56 "My rheumatologist told me to take 1000mg Tylenol and 1 Claritin an hour before my Kevzara...." + (show)
Profile picture for devou56 @devou56

My rheumatologist told me to take 1000mg Tylenol and 1 Claritin an hour before my Kevzara. It really helped the pain

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Sounds like good advice.

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kwahearn | @kwahearn | Jul 23 1:41pm
In reply to @janiceellen "I’m starting kevzara , what kind of relief did you experience? Looking forward to relief!" + (show)
Profile picture for janiceellen @janiceellen

I’m starting kevzara , what kind of relief did you experience? Looking forward to relief!

Jump to this post

With just 2 injections, so far, I haven't yet felt relief from the PMR, but having warmer serum was a big help with the injection pain.

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groksvaag | @groksvaag | Jul 24 11:46am

On Kevzara for 20 weeks now. Have never had any pain from injection into abdomen.

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