Martin (Kansas) on 02/06/2023

So I think as we sleep we dehydrate just a little and the tendons calcify, then our bodies attack this. I also read one article talking about interluekin 6 being high. I believe one of the reasons prednisone worked was by causing you to piss calcium out, the white cloud in the toilet, but the bottle says to take milk with it. I'm not telling you not to take milk, because there are long term side effects of long time steroid use. hip replacement, cataracts. It takes months to get rid of high vit d levels. I tried serrapeptase, it worked great, but after two days I had side effects. It eats scar tissue. I had had a hernia repair a year ago and have a bad knee with scar tissue inside apparently, they both started hurting after just two days use. I stopped it and the hernia fills fine now, but if you dont have any previous injuries or surgeries it might help you.

So what worked for me. No vit d, No multivitamins, limited sunlight, no eggs.

I took magnesium malate following label. Drink apple juice, malic acid in it. Eat bananas. I took a potassium pill a day. I also had a a half teaspoon of alfalfa. I took DHEA as it will help with making hormones that get downregulated with the prednisone as you wean off. I took chanca piedra for a while. I used some CBD in drops and in a oil rub for the shoulders, I also sometimes used a product called Lymphocare by Baar for massage, it has some peanut oil in it. I took epsom salt hot baths. Fasting helped clear some calcium but increased macrophages, so didn't help too much. Exercise if you can, start small, do shoulder exercises and walk. Get a vit d test to see if that could be the culprit. I believe some other supplements can increase calcium absorption also, I had been taking multiple. I also took fish oil up to three grams, it helped a little. I believe low dose naltrexone would work, but my doctor refused.

I always take a small amount of anything new to my body to see how I handle it first to avoid any emergency room visits, have not had any but have been close. Everyone is different and may be on medications that react badly to some supplements. I am a male and weigh 250 this would affect all dose sizes to others also.

Also, look up interleukin 6 reducing foods and follow those diets. I know your pain. You can get better. It will take time. Winter is your friend, less sunlight. Mine is completely gone today. It lasted 9 months. I may be wrong, but this is what may have worked for me. Even some probiotics can change some interleukins. My tendons got so stiff in my shoulders first, then my legs, and then my chest, where my chest popped frequently.

Territ (Va) on 05/20/2018

My Dad suffers from PNR and literally could not get out of the chair. He began taking MSM (organic sulfur crystals) 1 tsp of the crystals in a little liquid TWICE a day. Bought them on Amazon.

He couldn't get out of his chair...joints hurt him that bad but he is now regularly walking down to the chicken coop. The sulfur worked pretty quick...I think he really felt the results in his joints within a week. He added the other thing later so they at this point may be working in conjunction.

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Re: Polymyalgia Rheumatica

Leslie (Fountain, Co) on 04/21/2018

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

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Reishi Extract for PMR

Geo (Burnaby, Bc) on 03/10/2018

Reishi Extract for PMR

Reishi Extract combined with licorice root tea twice a day has quickly reduced 'muscle drag' and difficulty in arising. I should also mention that I have a high alkaline, vegan diet. No sugar, no stimulants, no alcohol. No doubt this helps set the stage for the notable improvement in my PMR, but apple cider vinegar and theracumin daily was not very helpful even with the same careful diet. I strongly recommend the Reishi tincture (Host Defense) plus licorice root to any PMR sufferers.

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ACV, Curcumin Helping Polymyalgia Rheumatica, But Have CRP Level Question

George (Burnaby, Bc) on 01/10/2018

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.

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Multiple Remedies for Polymyalgia Rheumatica

Cherie P. (Tasmania, Australia) on 12/31/2017

Regarding PMR:

Hi All, After 3 months just not feeling right and very tired my shoulder got really sore which then traveled to my arms, neck and finally to my lower back and hips. I felt very tired, mild fevers, vision changes, teary and in pain especially on waking. I am a practicing Naturopath and have cured myself of fibromyalgia and thyroid disease so there was no way I was going to believe "there is no known cure" I went back through my diary and realised I had influenza 12 weeks before and did not have enough time to rest to get over it properly as I was running my clinic. What I believe has happened in the low grade flu virus has infiltrated the joints and blood vessels causing the immune system to fight back which causes inflammation as the weakened immune system tries to destroy the virus.

After devising my own treatment, In 4 days I feel 60% better...still some stiffness in the neck and pain in my shoulders and sleepiness around the middle of the day but generally much brighter, energetic and less sore. My vision seems to be returning to normal.

My protocol:

1. Lauricidin (Monolaurin pellets) to kill all pathogens- Start low at 6 pellets 3 times a day and build up to 1 scoop three times a day. This could take weeks as the die off from the viral load can cause detox symptoms.

2. Fish Oils 10-12 grams a day as a powerful antiinflammatory

3. Essential Oil Mix to rub directly into the sore areas to kill the virus directly and releive inflammtion- THIS HAS BEEN AMAZING! 

• Oregano Oil 40 drops
• Frankincense Oil 60 drops
• Teatree Oil 40 drops
• Peppermint Oil 40 drops
• Ginger Oil 20 drops

Combine in a dropper bottle and rub 4 drops into each shoulder/neck/arm with some coconut oil three times a day. DONT MISS as this continual flow of antivirals will really help reduce the viral load.

4. Rest as much as possible and eat low inflammatory food: No sugar, wheat, dairy or industrial seed oils.

This protocol is working incredibly for me. I couldn't believe after my 8 year battle with fibromyalgia I was going to be faced with another chronic inflammatory disease. My 5 years of study taught me to look for a root cause. Every disease starts for a reason and I believe polymyalgia is post viral inflammation.

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Re: 7-Keto-DHEA for Polymyalgia Rheumatica

Jocelyn (Toronto) on 04/03/2016

Warning

WARNING: I do not advise my patients to go anywhere near DHEA as it's contraindicated with anyone with a history of cancer. DHEA can stimulate testosterone and estrogen hormones and can excite remission cancers.

Anti-inflammatory diet is a good start including removal of all nightshades - these are inflammatory foods. I also recommend moving the body into an alkaline state. You can do this with the introduction of lots of leafy dark greens, legumes, beta-carotene foods - any orange vegetable: squash, sweet potato/yam, carrots, lots of vitamin C foods (raw not cooked as vit C is destroyed by cooking) vitamin E for vascular health, and good fats like avocados, coconut oils, olive oils, flax/hemp oils. REMOVE Canola, corn and soy oils as these are highly GMOd here in North America.
Soups, stews, smoothies are a great to include lots of nutrients in one meal.

Lots of supplements- but a good multivitamin 2x/day is a good start (NOT from a drug store go to a health food store) a 2:1 mag/cal - 500mg mag/500mg calcium combo is great at helping the muscles relax, and take them 6hrs apart. It takes your body 6hrs to metabolize these nutrients; more is not better.

Hope this helps.

Jocelyn - Nutritionist

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Ashwagandha for Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR)

Albert (British Columbia) on 06/12/2015

I was diagnosed with PMR last year. It was tolerable for a time but then I started getting stiffness in my legs and severe pains in my hips. A couple of months ago, I started taking Ashwagandha (ayurvedic cure for ailing memory) pills to aid my memory, four days later I was pain free and it's basically been that way for two months.

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Re: Chinese Herbs for Polymyalgia Rheumatica

Linda (Jacksonville, Fl) on 10/28/2014

I was diagnosed with Polymyalgia Rheumatica in June and not wanting to take the normal 2 yrs of steroids I went looking for more natural remedies. I couldn't fine any ayarvedic specialist in the area so I tried Chinese herbalist. TaDa, she gave me a tea with many anti inflammatory properties and I noticed a difference within 24 hrs. I was pretty much immobile and week by week I gain more movement. My joints still hurt but I feel that with time this will be repaired also. I hope those of you with PMR will find this encouraging for your future.

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Re: 7-Keto-DHEA for Polymyalgia Rheumatica

Robert Seals (Santa Cruz, Ca) on 05/09/2014

I have found a ayurvedic med from India that completely relieves PMR symptoms it is called BYNA. The ingredients check out as herbal but it acts like a steroid, I am looking for a lab to check it out. This med could be a miracle, Robert

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Garlic for Polymyalgia Rheumatica

Helen (Canada) on 10/06/2013

Polymyalgia: Hello, I had PMR, and got rid of it.

My DNA is from Northern European stock. In 2007 I started losing weight, was in extreme pain, couldn't sleep and was diagnosed with rheumatic. My blood specialist wanted me to take prednisone for 2 years, I took it for about one month saw a hurbalist who said she could get me walking I lived on pain killers, boiled roots and bark herbs and had acupuncture for the pain. Still no avail. Someone mentioned garlic and I remembered that my mother used a lot of raw garlic. A clerk at a health store helped me find out how much organic odorless garlic my body weight could tolerate. Nine months later my blood specialist said I didn't have to come back and I that garlic was wonderful.

It has been 6 years and I am still PMR free.

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7-Keto-DHEA for Polymyalgia Rheumatica

Jane (Burdenham, Somerset, Uk) on 06/16/2013

Hi to all, I have been researching PMR as I think my mum will be diagnosed after her blood tests. I am an autoimmune sufferer with B12 deficiency and Hashimoto's Thyroiditis. I have been using 7 keto DHEA for a few years now though in the beginning I used straight DHEA. Yesterday I researched medical papers on the use of either of these as a treatment for PMR, as far back as 2000 I found that this had been researched with positive results. DHEA is a mother hormone for oestrogen and testosterone and 7 keto is a sulphate of DHEA which doesn't convert into either of these hormones, these are our bodies natural steroids. As you see PMR mostly in older people especially women or women who are peri-menopausal or post menopausal, then it is a logical asumption that the loss of hormones have an involvment in PMR. Men do not suffer to the same extent hormonally as women do which would explain why the majority of people who suffer are women. I use 7 keto for two reasons one is that it boosts T3 thyroid conversion two it is a very powerful immune support. There is a lot on the net re both of these products, it is worth thinking about. I wish you all well Jane x

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Flu Vaccines and Polymyalgia Rheumatica

Neralie (Toowoomba, Australia) on 05/28/2013

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.

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Turmeric, Ginger For Polymyalgia Rheumatica

Marguerite (Plymouth , Devon, Uk) on 04/17/2013

I have suffered from polymyalga reumatica for nearly 2 years with no sign of it clearing up. I found this website today and saw the feedback on turmeric and ginger so I thought I'd give it a try.

I was just about to order capsules on line when I thought of my spices for my favourite Moroccan food. I have just finished my first warm milk with the turmeric and ginger added and was quite surprised that it was pleasant to drink. I will keep you posted on how I feel and if I notice any difference in the next few weeks.

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Glutathione Accelator

Hilda (Airdrie, Alberta/canada) on 07/23/2012

I have had PMR for a year and half now and was offered Prednizone which I refused. However I have been coping by using a glutathione accelerator which is an anti-inflammatory that gets to the cellular level. A doctor told me that he is amazed that I am not taking Prednizone!

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Apple Cider Vinegar for Polymyalgia Rheumatica

Kay (Ft. Myers, Florida, Usa) on 07/13/2012

I was on steroids over a year & a half.. Finally weaned myself off steroids. Five days later I was in horrific pain & stiffness again for 2 weeks. Then I found your website and read about apple cider vinegar. I began to drink it every morning. Must be raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar "with the mother. " After 2 days of drinking this every morning... Like a miracle... No pain! I am on my 5th day of drinking it and feeling better every day! I take 2 teaspoons of vinegar in 8 oz. of water. I am so grateful that I found your website.

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Reinette (Johannesburg, South Africa) on 07/06/2012

Dear PMR friends, I was diagnosed 1 year ago, my Dr. put me on Predisone and is weaning me off it, I take Vit B as well as cod liver oil capsules, no pain killers but I do take ALKALINE POWDER at night. As an alkaline it works 100 percent, it works for me, get better soon my friends.

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Debbie (Glennville, Ga) on 05/09/2012

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.

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Rf

Ali (Bulawayo, Zimbabwe) on 10/09/2011

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!

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Acupuncture, Dietary Changes for Polymyalgia Rheumatica

Martha (Fort Worth, Texas) on 06/23/2010

PMR diagnosed 6 months ago. D.O. recommended Prednisone. One month later the Prednisone symptoms came: bruising, more night sweats, "moon face", threat of diabetes, osteoporosis, high cholesterol... I saw neither as a "solution".

I began to see an acupuncturist, two weeks ago. I have had two visits. She let my body tell her what I needed. She administered acupuncture, then cupping, followed by massage. She adjusted my OTC herbs, which closely follow what I have already read on this site. She suggested using the book "Eat Right 4 Your Type" (D'Adamo). I am eating 50% organic, and follow my blood type recommendations to a T. "Good food is medicine" she says.

I feel SO much better. I can get thru the day without a nap, my muscles hurt less, my temp at night is lower, I have less heartburn, and am HAPPY!

I would never have tried acupuncture unless I felt cornered. I felt no solution otherwise. Feel free to use what ever info you would like. I am 60 years old, and work full time. God bless.

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