Natural Remedies for Polymyalgia Rheumatica Relief

Wow-I am so glad I found this site. It was given to me by a new dear friend. I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia 2 years ago after going to 4-5 specialists. No one knew how to really treat it. Last year I saw a chiropracter and he put me on a PH balanced diet.
Sort of vegetarian but you could eat all the fish you liked, no breads, pasta or anything with grains. Vegetables, lots of salad with olive oil, fruits and fish. No sugar products all natural fruit drinks. Vitamin supplements a day: 3 omega3, 4 flax oil, 4 C, 2 E, 3 calcium, 3 MSN, 3 Mineral, 3 Glucosomine. I was on it for 6 months and while I had some relief I still was stiff every morning.

This year I started a new neurologist and went thru all the tests again: blood, MRI, EMG. She actually says I have Polymyalgia Rheumatica. Now I am taking Prednisone but am very concerned with side effects. I did get immediate relief but realize it will weaken my immune system. How frustrating!

Painful PMR. Need more ideas. Do NOT want to live like this. Always active before. Taking prednisone.

How many droppers/drops of the extract did you dose into licorice tea please? Thank you.

Polymyalgia Rheumatica - Thanks for this very useful blog! Can anyone tell me about possible lowering of CRP blood levels thru use of curcumin and AC vinegar? These 2 have kept me away from use of prednisone quite effectively, but the CRP level question is one I'd like to answer without more medical appointments if possible. I'll look further thru the entries here in case it has been disclosed.

I too have polymyalgia and have read your blog with great interest. I wondered what you meant about the lauralin pellets causing detox symptoms. What symptoms would they be please?
Thanks

Can I start taking herbal supplements while on prednisone? I have been on pred. for 1.5 mo. 20mg a day.

Regarding Chinese Herbalist and your friend with Polymyalgia Rheumatica. She should not give up looking for good results. If she is not getting good results, she should go back to the herbalist and let her know it is not working or look for another in her area. I hope this helps

Hi Helen, I have had PMR for 3 years. Trying to get off predisone. I'm down to 1 mg. I'm doing leg and arm exercises now. Unfortunately getting bad pain in both arms. Have y expierenced anything like that?

Can anyone tell me how much garlic per day? I will estimate a bit more, as I am 190 pounds! Thanks.

I have had PMR for just over two years and it is slowly starting to ease off at long last. I now take 3 and 2.5 mg Prednisone alternately. It is harder to lower the dose as it gets down because you have to do it so slowly. I developed my symptoms two days after my flu vaccine. My doctor thinks the vaccine is definitely the culprit and says I am never to have another vaccine. I also take Rehmannia Complex, a herbal tablet that has definitely helped, but other than that, you just have to be patient. There is some great information on PMR on the patient.co.uk site that has helped me.

I can't explain how relieved I am to find out I'm not the only PMR "victim" and that I'm also not the only one on the miracle drug prednisone. I hate this drug but I love it. I was diagnosed recently while in the hospital for pneumonia. I have been ill for two years and had no clue why. I'm 49 and have read that's extremely young to get this. The pain was so bad I cried. Was on narcotic pain meds for a YEAR until I was put in the hospital for pneumonia last march and was put on preds 40 mg. I recently started to get off them myself because the doctor would never take me off unless I spent 280 dollars to come see him and take a pulmonary function test, something I did not have the money for. I have read that the addeno (sp?) virus can sometimes cause PMR but there's that pesky question now popping up in my mind about the flu shot I had last year. Hmm. Anyway, thanks so much all of you. I now have some paths to try.

I read your article and was very interested in your comments. My mother suffers from polymyalgia and she said the symptoms related from a flu injection. Please contact me 33710793 Brisbane.

I was diagnosed with Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) a month after I had the Flu Shot. My doctor said that is not the cause of it, but I'm pretty sure it was. I've never had any of the symptoms until after the shot. What didn't make sense is I'm 40 and that's very rare to have it so the doc was leary about diagnosing it PMR but all my symptoms led to the conclusion. The pain got so bad where I couldn't get out of bed, couldn't sit on and off the toilet and I could barely walk. I have never heard of this sickness and now that I've seen and read that so many other people have them makes me feel better for the support but also scared about side effects due to me being on Prednisone. It seemed to be the only thing that helped with my pain and now I'm weening off it with a stronger ibuprofen. I've been ok for about a month now but it seems the pain is returning. I'm trying everything as far as eating healthier yet it seems to still be flaring up. Thanks everyone for all the suggestions of drinks and proper vitamin intakes. I'll try those.

WARNING!

In addition to the flu vaccine, beware of bone density drugs. My PMR began following the start of my taking Actonel. I had such a severe reaction to Actonel, my doctor took me off that and started me on Boniva, which had even more severe side effects than Actonel. I then stopped Boniva, but the symptoms continued and worsened. Finally I was diagnosed with PMR. Like you, the only thing that worked for me was prednisone. I had to take it for almost 5 years, as the PMR returned without it.

Beware of the bone density drugs, as they have other serious side effects as well. My doctor says that although they may make bones denser, they also can make them more brittle and easier to break.

Yes, I came down with PMR (or so they think) one week after getting a Prolia injection. I went from excellent health to almost disabled by joint and muscle pain. I refused to go on Prednisone. I will be trying the suggestions from this site.

Did the Turmeric and Ginger Tea help? J.

I have PMR and am taking 7mg of Prednisone daily. I also drink ginger tea in the afternoons (a pint) and think it is helping. I tried several recipes before I found one that was acceptable.

Steep one quart of water, juice of one lemon, and 1/4 cup of finely grated ginger (grate with a zester) for 20 minutes. Strain and add 1/4 cup raw honey, pour over ice and drink with a straw.

Amazing that this would work. I will give it a try.

Thank you for this information. I will definitely try it also. After the Flu Shot...Polymyalgia Rheumatica symptoms starting occurring a few weeks later and I'm on prednisone but want to find something else that would help. The pain is returning after a month.

It took 8 dr's before I was diagnosed with PMR. I had to search it up for myself. someone mentioned that condition. i then went to the mayo clinic. a blood test call sed rate & crp will show the inflammation in your body... i was on prednisone for about a year. now i am better, but i can sure predict the weather, my buttock tells me so... i take a b complex vitamin a couple times a week, & tbsp of apple cider vinegar (natural with the mother) not pasteurized, in a glass of water to neutralize the acidity the prednisone caused. so far so good.. hope this helps someone a little.

Are u off Preds for good? Are you still having systoms. I was dignosed with PMR in March. Preds make me feel great, but worried about long term. I am a 60 year old coach and teacher with the dept of defense, live in Portugal and just don't understand this. Hope you off Preds and can give me some advice. Thanks for any help...

I read about taking apple cider vinegar but where does one buy it since it has to be raw?? My husband, Wayne has PMR and is on predisone and has for about 15 months now...he has days where he is so sore, stiff and tired and I feel so sorry for him... he is concerned about going off prednisone as when he gets down to about 15 or less it really acts up.. now he is taking another med along with the prednisone which is to help weine him from the pred...any other suggestions for my dear husband... he has thought about homapatic (spelling ??) therapy... what do you think?? does insurance cover that?? thanks... will be waiting to hear... the wife of Wayne

My mother-in-law has been on statin drugs for 20 years and developed PMR about 2 1/2 years ago. She also gets the flu shot. She is on a steroid, but wants to get off because it is not working. After reading thousands of blogs and web-sites, I think she needs to fix her diet and vitamin regimen before she gets off the drugs. Are you still on statin drugs?

Hello, 2 days on your lemon and soda after being diagnosed over 2 years ago and down to alternate days prednisolone 2.5 mg and 5 mg , any lower typical sites of pain return, being very quiet about it but today halved dose to 1.25 today and my soda and lemon, so far hardly any stiffness! I'm praying this is it and I will be able to get off the wonderful winner drug predisolone which I couldn't have done without but want to now say bye bye to!! TRY IT!

Sally, ask your doctor, please!! I would be leary of medical advise from an internet discussion board.

There are many knowledgeable people who come and visit this website and share. So I do not mean to be disrespectful. You medical care provider has your chart and history, and is aware of all details.

Prednisone must be weaned off, my dog was just on it for 11 days. He took half a pill twice a day for 3 days, half a pill one a day for three days, half a pill every other day for 3 doses.

Not trying to compare vetrinary medicine to your care. However, the point is even for such a short regiment there is a weening process.

If you are anxious and cant wait to see your doc, call the pharmasist. I am sure they could help you too, at least give you some information.

Hello, I thought I would respond to your post as I have been going through hell since my flu shot in Oct. 2011. Right after the injection, my arm began to itch (internal itch where you can scratch all day and it won't relieve the itch). That came with a burning sensation. Asked the doctor about it and she said she never heard of it.

Next few weeks I began to have this sensation in my spine like I was having a spinal tap. Then came some vision loss. It was like looking at lattice work around the peripheral visual area leaving only the center of my vision open to seeing what was in front of me. Next, dizziness, nausea and GERD that got so out of control I would wake up with vomit and pieces of food in my mouth and throat. Vocal cords became so inflamed I lost my voice for 3 days. Next, right leg seizures in mid step. Muscle pain in thighs... Then, the ultimate. I couldn't get out of bed in the morning the 'usual or normal' way. The pain in my lower back area was so severe I rolled my legs off the bed then used my arms to push my upper body to a seated position or to drop myself to the floor on my knees. Getting up from a chair or toilet was nearly impossible so I got a comode for the toilet so I'd have something with arms to use. I stated standing to have my meals...

Like you, I had several tests, labs, etc. Finally, I took all my records to a new primary doctor who sat there piecing things together and came up with PMR. I'm concerned most about the visual problems/headaches so I have another apt. with Neuro. I am looking into acupuncture as I don't like the side affects of Prednisone. I've never heard of PMR/GCA but boy, my symptoms all seem to line up with it and I know it had to have something to do with that flu shot... NEVER AGAIN!!!

I, too, received the flu shot in October, 2010 and a couple of weeks later, my nightmare began. I thought I had injured some herniated disks in my neck when doing yard work, so I went to my neurosurgeon. My symptoms starting moving from my neck/shoulders to my arms, lower back and legs. I could hardly move. He ordered many, many tests, referred me to other doctors, and five months later, I was diagnosed with PMR by a neuromuscular neurologist. The day I began my first dose of prednisone, I was able to move normally again. I have had many relapses and am still on prednisone. My new rheumatologist has been tapering me (now at 8mg) and has recently combined it with another drug-hydroxychloroquine. I can hardly move most of the time, and am tired of feeling so bad, so I'm now looking for other ways to help me feel better and get off of the drugs. I will be exploring some of the suggestions of warm water therapy and accupuncture.

Tell your friend with PMR to see a Homeopath. A friend of mine had great success from a homeopathic remedy.

I received a flu shot in 2005 and soon after became stiff and painful in hips, shoulders and hand knuckles. This was the year that 48 million flu shots were found to be contaminated and were destroyed, then were available in jan. 2005. I suspect the shots were still contaminated.

I was put on Prednisone and took it for 3-.4 years until I could ween myself off of it. I filed a claim with the HHS Vacine injury Compensation Program and was ultilmately rewarded a fat check but not nearly enough.

Now Oct.17, 2015 I am begining to experience a recurrence of the PMR symtoms and will see my doctors ASAP.

You must file a claim no later than 3 yrs. after your vaccine shot.

Good luck

I have the flares for past three years...hip...shoulder..opposite head lobe and foot pain swellind......I just had flu shot and have three in last two months since ...started on prednisone till I am formally diagnosed with pmr.

Carol, just read your info re PMR. Written on my birthday :)....I was diagnosed 1/2016 w/PMR...urgent care dr put me on 20 mg Prednisone immediately and by that afternoon I was able to move around normally! Prior to visit movement was getting so bad I could not get out of bed unless I swiveled around on back and rolled over to stand. Finally saw rheum dr and has been weaning me of prednisone since Jan 2016. I have finished w/prednisone and see dr in 1.5 mo. Not satisfied with how I feel daily....hand sometimes swells at knuckles and 2 mid fingers. Although, when this all happened they told me I had carpal tunnel in both hands. Would like to find a more long lasting treatment w/o drugs! Thank you for your info.

My experience is like many others here. Probable diagnosis based on high sed rate and c-reactive protein. I was told the real proof of diagnosis would be a trial of prednisone. I am rejecting taking that med at present due to side effects. My confusion comes from nightshade plants, some say yes others definitely no. I am under care of functional medicine doctor who has ok'd them in my diet. Does everyone on this list eliminate nightshades and where can I find more info on this?