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Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) | Last Active: Apr 19, 2024 | Replies (14)
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Im not a Doctor but have a basic understanding of biology. As i understand it, PMR is caused by the immune system going into overdrive and attacking proteins that it shouldn't be reacting to. This leads to a pain sensitization feedback loop. Prednisone blocks the inflammatory response while you are taking it and blocks the pain sensitization loop. In a small percentage of PMR cases this reboots the immune system and can send the disease into remission but for most people Prednisone is just a bandaid and underlying causes of inflammation (which havent been clearly identified by science yet) continue to cause problems. Is this your understanding?
Replies to "Im not a Doctor but have a basic understanding of biology. As i understand it, PMR..."
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Yes, I would agree with most of that. I'm not too familiar with the "pain sensitization feedback loop." I need to read more about that.
I definitely agree that prednisone is a bandaid approach to the problem. I remember someone saying "prednisone mops up the inflammation" caused by PMR. I respectfully disagreed with that analogy in favor of the analogy that prednisone "sweeps the inflammation under the rug."
The following video refers to heart disease. I think the video is applicable to autoimmune diseases as well --- especially when they are treated with prednisone. Prednisone does not turn off the inflammation faucet very well. As the video suggests, lifestyle changes are also of paramount importance.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1FiJ7z4NHWc
"Treat the cause of the problem! Western medicine is too pill focused and gives medications for every problem without addressing the cause. This video explains that concept and how important it is to treat the cause of the underlying problem."