My old life was fading away... Excellent Article

[Marie1479]

This article popped up on the PMRGCAuk Facebook page. It really hit home.

express.co.uk/life-style/he...

[SheffieldJane]

Thanks for sharing this. It certainly makes you want to try it!

[Klah]

Thank you for sending this wonderful article😊 Hope you continue to do well too!

[MavisEllen]

I got really excited about this article and I also live in Bournemouth, Dorset, UK and I am experiencing debilitating symptoms from PMR and GCA and the side effects of the multiple medications that I am being prescribed. However as I researched the medications used in this reported drug trial I came across information linking them to some worrying side effects and ongoing legal issues in the USA as over 1,100 deaths are being attributed to taking it. nationalinjuryhelp.com/acte...

Now I am feeling confused. Help! I wish everybody who is being treated for these debilitating conditions the very best of luck as there is so much conflicting advice from the doctors and I am somebody that believes in research based evidence having worked in the NHS for 18 years before retiring 10 years ago. It appears that I and many others remain between the 'devil and the deep blue sea'. MavisEllen

[piglette in reply to MavisEllen]

Hi MavisEllen, if you are having debilitating symptoms from PMR and GCA it sounds like you are not taking enough steroids or alternatively you have been misdiagnosed.

I should think that virtually every medication has some sort of side effect, some much worse than others. One has to weigh up the pros and cons of taking the product with its side effects against not taking it with the problems that would cause.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to MavisEllen]

I suspect that these class acts are more in hope than anything else - the US is a very litigious society.

Also this will be in patients who are on it for RA - and probably on it for very long periods as most biologics in RA tend to be used long term. The evidence so far in GCA seems to be that you need of for some time but then are in remission for some time and not being given it.

As piglette says - if you are struggling, you possibly need more pred. You need enough to benefit from it - there is no virtue in taking too little. I have had side effects in the past but currently have none I'm aware of. Many side effects can be dealt with if you know how.