My husband was diagnosed with GCA/Polymyalgia Rheumatica in May 2005 and was treated with initially 100mg of Prednisone. He is down to 10mg now but feels very unwell. He also takes Humira 2 times a month. His sister has the polymyalgia and both are in their early 70s. She is treated with Remicade every 6 weeks and is reponding. He is not responding with his therapy and his sed rate has increased to 90. We wonder if Remicade would help him more than the Humira which doesn't seem to do anything for him. He is very fatigued, no energy and is now bordering on anemia and will start iron. Do you think Remicade would help. He has no pain but simply cannot function or enjoy life. Thank you.
I had not heard of polymyalgia rheumatica being treated with the biologica anti-TNF drugs. I have 2 sisters with PolyRheum.... They have prednisone only. Although taking it long-term can be a problem, I haven't heard of any other solution than raising that back up. (One of my sisters, who is only in her 50s, is down to 7.5. The other one, in her 60s is higher, i dont' know the dose.
That SED rate is certainly too high!
Remicade has been known to work where Enbrel does not, at least for RA. It's worth asking the doctor, especially if it's working for someone else in the family .... I would think!
That SED rate is certainly too high!
Remicade has been known to work where Enbrel does not, at least for RA. It's worth asking the doctor, especially if it's working for someone else in the family .... I would think!
Hi,
I am new to all this and was very pleased that there was at least a place to post some questions, comments etc. concerning this drug that I am about to start. I was diagnosed with Temporal Arteritis (Giant Cell) just over 1year ago. Have been under dr care and have tried a combination of prednisone (40mg) and methotrexate (25mg) a week for 5 or 6 months to no avail.....they tell me I am in the 3% not to respond to this medication routine.
Now they are saying they want to do infusion therapy using Remicade. Reading the side effets scare the living daylights out of a semi-sane person. Has anyone else had this experience? I need some words of wisdome:) BTW. I am 61 year old female. :'(
I am new to all this and was very pleased that there was at least a place to post some questions, comments etc. concerning this drug that I am about to start. I was diagnosed with Temporal Arteritis (Giant Cell) just over 1year ago. Have been under dr care and have tried a combination of prednisone (40mg) and methotrexate (25mg) a week for 5 or 6 months to no avail.....they tell me I am in the 3% not to respond to this medication routine.
Now they are saying they want to do infusion therapy using Remicade. Reading the side effets scare the living daylights out of a semi-sane person. Has anyone else had this experience? I need some words of wisdome:) BTW. I am 61 year old female. :'(
I am 60 and have been recently diagnosed with giant cell arteritis. I also, initially started with 100 mg prednisone. I am down to 4mg a day. I still have the headaches and sometimes feel very unwell. Does anyone know about using ginsent and/or licorice root to deal with this type of inflammation? Anyone who has successfully used it, or are there any studies on these herbs and GCA ? thanks.
My 5 year old CBC came back and said that she had giant platelets present, anisocytosis slight and microcytosis slight. What does this mean? Should I be concerned?
I have Giant Cell Arteritis & keep my sed rate down with a monthly infusion of Actemra. Are there any long term lasting effects, like mood changes etc? Thanks.