Increased Prednisone

[1951grumpa]

Hello, earlier this past summer I posted that I got off hydrocortisone and back on prednisone. I started at 5mg prednisone a dose that had for years been enough to keep my symptoms at bay. This wasn’t enough so my new rheumatologist put me to 7.5. Sloley but methodically the inflammation increased and my markers went up. MyCRP was 17 , my normal is less than <3 so she put me on 20 mg for two weeks to see if this would knock the inflammation. If so a biologic, Kevzara would be use . I had tried 10 mg for a couple weeks before but no results. Well the 20mg did smash the inflammation. So I am now on a trek to 10mg in a couple months. Reducing 2.5m every two weeks. I the inflammation returns then Kevzara . The Kevzara has some serious side effects, especially those with a history of diverticulitis , of which I have had. After my last bout a few years ago I had a consult with a colorectal surgeon.

Two other issues have crept their way in . This summer I have been bothered with PVC’s . I first was bothered with them 30 years ago. I went to Mayo Clinic in September for an annual check up and was put on a 30 day holter monitor. Results are in but waiting for a call this week for recommendations. Also last December I had a surgery for a small anal fistula. It healed well, but I think it has returned, so Friday morning I sent an email ago my dr. At the University of Chicago and now I have an appointment on November 11th with the colorectal surgeon that worked on me last December.

It’s been a long time , 10 years , that I’ve been on a higher dose . Sleepless nights,like tonight have been common . My wife is at the brunt of my short fuse. I

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[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

No advice, but do you realise you have posted this twice…

[1951grumpa in reply to DorsetLady]

Good morning, I was not aware of that. 😵‍💫 I’m not the most tech savvy.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to 1951grumpa]

It happens… it just that you have 2 threads running - so may be a bit confusing that’s all..

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I'm not on Kevzara but Actemra - which also works on the IL-6 cytokine and can also be a problem with diverticulitis. I have had no problems in over 2 1/2 years but I have never had a history of GI problems.

There are a couple of people on the forum on Actemra for GCA who had had diverticulitis and their responses to Actemra were very different. SheffieldJane had problems and had to discontinue Actemra, Grammy80 had had a different story.

There aren't many here on Kevzara - still a recent introduction and not approved in the UK. But perhaps someone else will reply. Actemra got me from nearly 20mg pred to 7mg and I am just about stable there,

[1951grumpa in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks for your thoughts. Here in the US I think only Kevzara has been approved for PMR. Actemra is approved for GCA. I wasn’t aware that Actemra had similar side effects, thank you.. I see a surgeon next Monday and I’ll ask her opinion and December 2nd I see my GI dr. and get his thoughts. I am not a hundred opposed to Kevzara just have some concerns because a few years ago when I saw a different colorectal surgeon after two bouts with diverticulitis he was cautious of surgery because of the high number of divertucli I have….Geo