In February I had minor eye surgery. At 10 mg plus Actemra.I stopped Actemra two weeks prior and developed an ear infection at the third week. It was quite horrible antibiotics and pain meds. ESR jumped to 30 and CRP to14. Went back up to 40 mg numbers came down. Reducing 5 mg a week. In the interim white count went up to 22.5 which required a hematologist. White count went down to normal then back up to 15. We did rule out Leukemia.
I am trying desperately to get a knee done for three years now but run into relapses. . My question here is how quickly can I continue to reduce while still on Actemra? Dr. will not operate until I am down to 10.Was scheduled for surgery three days ago but that went by the wayside. I am aware that Actemra is not used as much in England or Europe. I am looking for an opinion it seems most people can get down very quickly while on the shots. I have to stay at 10 for my adrenals. All of this is pretty scary. I need several more eye surgeries but the knee is pretty important because all else is failing with the steroid myopathy. My New Jersey rheumatologist believes I can go down quickly while on the shots. I would like to hear what you folks think. Thank you very much. Marilyn