1. < Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR)

After PMR and return to good health

Posted by alan bruce @alanbruce, Jan 25, 2020

I had PMR for twenty months and thanks to Prednisone, good doctors and advice from Mayo Connect I was able to taper my way back to reasonably good health. I do get colds and numerous sinus and chest congestion issues all of which seem to last much longer than before PMR. I understand PMR weakens our immune systems so I assume that our immune system may return to normal after PMR. Question: does anyone have an idea how long it normally takes to have our immune system to return to normal or will it?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) Support Group.

curlyqlinda1 | @curlyqlinda1 | Jan 19 9:10am
In reply to @seniormed "I follow the anti-inflammatory eating pattern based on the Mediterranean diet. Limit alcohol and very little..." + (show)
@seniormed

I follow the anti-inflammatory eating pattern based on the Mediterranean diet. Limit alcohol and very little
meat and gluten avoidance. Doing dry January to see how that feels.
I believe very strenuous exertion was a factor in my PMR onset. Now moderate 5 days a week. Stretching,
Yoga and easy machines for me. Walk after dinner when you can. Moderation likely strengthens our immunity.
I will ask my primary to check my sed rate and CRP
even though I’m feeling well.
I will mask on airplane this winter. Otherwise fine with
normal exposures and up to date vaccines. Vitamin D
is important year round. Enjoy your friends and family.

Jump to this post

Up to date on vaccines that’s great. I’m hesitant to get the new covid vaccine, I have had the latest flu vaccine and I had no reaction. Anybody have thoughts on the latest covid vaccine? Thank you

REPLY
mockybird | @mockybird | Jan 19 3:39pm

What does taking daily steroids do to your microbiome? I eat a plant-based diet with fermented foods and sprouts daily. But, is it hard to maintain a healthy microbiome while taking steroids? Currently I’m tapering and I’m at 9 mg.

REPLY
nancy53 | @nancy53 | Jan 19 4:38pm
In reply to @bradninchgirl "Very good questions and I wish I had an answer. One question I have is how..." + (show)
@bradninchgirl

Very good questions and I wish I had an answer. One question I have is how I can stop this from happening again. There are many books on autoimmune diets and cooking, but not specific for PMR. they seem to think the nightshade vegetables are no problem, so you need to read this recipes carefully to catch this. Also, keep away from salt and sugar is not a bad start.
There seems to be very little research into PMR, at least in America. I know it is a really bad problem in the UK and I am relying more and more on the National Health Service web site for help. When it's powered up I will search my kindle for the titles of the autoimmune recipe books I have and get back to you.

Jump to this post

I have changed my diet RADICALLY since my bout of PMR started 2 months ago. Still waiting to see a Rheumatologist, but my PA is impressed that I've been able to reduce my inflammation significantly. I've also lost 11 lbs. - even on Prednisone. Anything I eat is vetted first!

REPLY
2 replies
oxzab | @oxzab | Jan 19 5:03pm
In reply to @nancy53 "I have changed my diet RADICALLY since my bout of PMR started 2 months ago. Still..." + (show)
@nancy53

I have changed my diet RADICALLY since my bout of PMR started 2 months ago. Still waiting to see a Rheumatologist, but my PA is impressed that I've been able to reduce my inflammation significantly. I've also lost 11 lbs. - even on Prednisone. Anything I eat is vetted first!

Jump to this post

I am currently down to 5mg Prednisone per day. I do not find issues with hard exercises (bike, hike, yoga). I do have some trouble sleeping, occasional night sweats and some fatigue issues. I don’t eat many animal products. The only diet trigger I can sense is corn. I can eat a little, a bowl of popcorn can make me achy. 62 years active male. Up to date on all vaccines except shingles.

REPLY
1 reply
bradninchgirl | @bradninchgirl | Jan 19 7:14pm
In reply to @nancy53 "I have changed my diet RADICALLY since my bout of PMR started 2 months ago. Still..." + (show)
@nancy53

I have changed my diet RADICALLY since my bout of PMR started 2 months ago. Still waiting to see a Rheumatologist, but my PA is impressed that I've been able to reduce my inflammation significantly. I've also lost 11 lbs. - even on Prednisone. Anything I eat is vetted first!

Jump to this post

Well done. It took me 4 years to get that much done. I sometimes have dreams about sausage rolls and french fries but the dream does not include my eating any. I started to lose weight three years before I could get a doctor interested enough to find out why, so all in all the 4 1/2 years while in treatment I have lost 70lbs. But that includes the 12 lbs I lost when I had flu. Keep at it it sounds like you are doing well.

REPLY
1 reply
nancy53 | @nancy53 | Jan 19 8:16pm
In reply to @bradninchgirl "Well done. It took me 4 years to get that much done. I sometimes have dreams..." + (show)
@bradninchgirl

Well done. It took me 4 years to get that much done. I sometimes have dreams about sausage rolls and french fries but the dream does not include my eating any. I started to lose weight three years before I could get a doctor interested enough to find out why, so all in all the 4 1/2 years while in treatment I have lost 70lbs. But that includes the 12 lbs I lost when I had flu. Keep at it it sounds like you are doing well.

Jump to this post

I hurt so badly I HAD to do something. My diet was the only thing I could control. My inflammation has been horrible - stands to reason I have to eat anti inflammatory foods.

I also cut out alcohol entirely and don't miss it - it was just a bad, social habit.

Your food dreams made me smile, I am craving a Hatch green chile cheeseburger (abundant in my region of the county!)

I wish you well, you've had a long haul with PMR.

REPLY
nancy53 | @nancy53 | Jan 19 8:26pm
In reply to @oxzab "I am currently down to 5mg Prednisone per day. I do not find issues with hard..." + (show)
@oxzab

I am currently down to 5mg Prednisone per day. I do not find issues with hard exercises (bike, hike, yoga). I do have some trouble sleeping, occasional night sweats and some fatigue issues. I don’t eat many animal products. The only diet trigger I can sense is corn. I can eat a little, a bowl of popcorn can make me achy. 62 years active male. Up to date on all vaccines except shingles.

Jump to this post

Good for you.

I had all of my vaccines last fall, spaced several weeks apart, except for RSV. Can't do that one now. Shingles was tough, but I guess having it is worse.

We had beautiful fall weather, so I overdid some heavy gardening, helped with a huge mural, helped a friend move furniture and hang paintings, also co chaired an auction for a non profit. My PCP and I theorize that I created a "perfect storm" for my body. It just said WHOA and slipped into PMR.

Sure put a detour in my life!

Curious to hear what my Rheumatologist has to say when I finally see him in 2.5 weeks.

I have cut most animal products too - especially after watching a Netflix documentary called "You are what you eat - the twin experiment'.

Glad you can exercise - I walk and do Yoga with lots of complaints from my shoulders and hips. Swimming is divine.

We all are facing a tough condition. Here's to remission!

REPLY
View MoreView Less
Please sign in or register to post a reply.