Acterma - Side Effects

[Emira1]

I am taking Actemra after having been diagnosed with GCA several months ago. A week ago, I developed bags under my eyes and swelling on both my feet. Has anyone else experienced this? Is it a common side effect of the medication?

[baxternoni]

I have been on Actemra for two years and the only side effect has been lowered WBC. After dropping to two shots a month my WBC went up again.

[Rugger in reply to baxternoni]

That's been my experience too.

[SnazzyD]

Hello there, are you on steroids as well ? If so what dose?

[Emira1 in reply to SnazzyD]

Yes im on Prednisone. Started on 60 and now im on 15.

[SnazzyD in reply to Emira1]

I wasn’t on Actemra, just Pred starting on 60mg. I had panda eyes and puffy face from fluid retention especially if I had any salt in my food. This really kicked in about 3 months in. The face normally becomes rounded from Pred on top of this but it reduces with dose reduction. It also helps to have a very low carbohydrate diet to avoid the weight gain, provided you don’t have a medical reason not to.

[baxternoni in reply to SnazzyD]

No, I was on Prednisone for 14 months. I was a very slow taper. My rheumatologist doesn’t like to keep his patients on the drug due to the side effects which did a lot of damage to my body. All his patients are on Actemra.

[SheffieldJane]

No nothing like that. Just the fatigue and feeling seedy.

[Emira1]

Thanks everyone for the responses!I'm seeing my doctor on Monday. I'm now on 15 mg of Prednisone and the area around my temples is a little inflamed and also there's some swelling on my neck. Is this normal due to fluid retention as a side effect of Prednisone?

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Emira1]

Where is the swelling? Being on pred does predispose you to fat deposits in certain places, the most obvious is around your face and neck causing the "moonface". Most people find their face and neck gets puffy