I have GCA. I haven’t been diagnosed with PMR, but I suspect it. I take saunas and it does help with pain and I haven’t noticed any negative effects from it.
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Dec 20 7:36am
@curlyqlinda1, There are times when I wished I had a sauna. There have been some members with PMR who have commented on using a sauna in other discussions. Here's a link to that shows the comments while you wait for members to respond - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/search/comments/?search=PMR%20+sauna.
' @richer, Welcome to Connect. Sorry to hear you have been diagnosed with GCA. When my PMR was active my primary care doctor and my rheumatologist were always watching for symptoms of GCA which is more serious. There are quite a few discussions on GCA if you want to scan through them - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/search/discussions/?search=GCA. Have you started a treatment for the GCA?
I was recently on vacation and had access to a sauna. After sitting in one I felt like a new person, really helped with pain and stiffness. I have a hot tub at home and that helps as well but does not work as well as a sauna
Thanks, John. I had never heard of either disease until I lost vision in my right eye. At most I’ve had mild symptoms for GCA and inflammation markers were only mildly elevated. The ER docs thought I’d had a stroke, but the ophthalmologist recommended temporal biopsy, which came back positive for GCA. I’ve been tracking other symptoms regarding PMR for my next meeting with my rheumatologist. I’m tapering down on prednisone and I take once weekly actemra injections.
During Covid we used the covid money the government sent and to put it back into the economy instead of paying off the home equity loan we bought a sauna kit and made it in the back yard! A Huge expense but it has been the best investment. We use it 3x a week winter in Minnesota and summer! And to the point. It absolutely helps the stiffness and soreness of not only my PMR but my arthritis. Then I go in an ice bath in the bathtub inside. or sit in the snow! Which I thinks helps even more. I have been doing Ice plunges in lakes in the winter and it does wonders!! for my aches and pains and my attitude. I am 78 I have had PMR for 7 years now at 2mg. still trying to get off the prednisone.
I was recently on vacation and had access to a sauna. After sitting in one I felt like a new person, really helped with pain and stiffness. I have a hot tub at home and that helps as well but does not work as well as a sauna
Thanks, John. I had never heard of either disease until I lost vision in my right eye. At most I’ve had mild symptoms for GCA and inflammation markers were only mildly elevated. The ER docs thought I’d had a stroke, but the ophthalmologist recommended temporal biopsy, which came back positive for GCA. I’ve been tracking other symptoms regarding PMR for my next meeting with my rheumatologist. I’m tapering down on prednisone and I take once weekly actemra injections.
Thank you @richer for this post. Before loosing sight what were your symptoms? Did you regain your sight with treatment? I do hope so and send you warm wishes for a full recovery.
I have found that 15 minutes in a steam sauna 3 or 4 times a week helps with relaxation and improves my overall sense of wellbeing, but has not seemed to alter the course of my pmr symptoms. (First attack, age > 70, prednisone at 20 mg started 10 months ago with almost complete relief in 48 hrs, tapering by 2.5 mg/mo to 10 mg, then by 1 mg per month. Flared at 5 mg, resolved with increase to 7 mg, now at 4.5 mg and am tapering by 0.5 mg every 4 to 6 weeks. Still have mild pains in shoulders, about 1/10, but only with exercise and not at rest). Best of luck to you, wish you a lasting remission.
During Covid we used the covid money the government sent and to put it back into the economy instead of paying off the home equity loan we bought a sauna kit and made it in the back yard! A Huge expense but it has been the best investment. We use it 3x a week winter in Minnesota and summer! And to the point. It absolutely helps the stiffness and soreness of not only my PMR but my arthritis. Then I go in an ice bath in the bathtub inside. or sit in the snow! Which I thinks helps even more. I have been doing Ice plunges in lakes in the winter and it does wonders!! for my aches and pains and my attitude. I am 78 I have had PMR for 7 years now at 2mg. still trying to get off the prednisone.
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I have GCA. I haven’t been diagnosed with PMR, but I suspect it. I take saunas and it does help with pain and I haven’t noticed any negative effects from it.
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1 Reaction@curlyqlinda1, There are times when I wished I had a sauna. There have been some members with PMR who have commented on using a sauna in other discussions. Here's a link to that shows the comments while you wait for members to respond - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/search/comments/?search=PMR%20+sauna.
'
@richer, Welcome to Connect. Sorry to hear you have been diagnosed with GCA. When my PMR was active my primary care doctor and my rheumatologist were always watching for symptoms of GCA which is more serious. There are quite a few discussions on GCA if you want to scan through them - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/search/discussions/?search=GCA. Have you started a treatment for the GCA?
I was recently on vacation and had access to a sauna. After sitting in one I felt like a new person, really helped with pain and stiffness. I have a hot tub at home and that helps as well but does not work as well as a sauna
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3 ReactionsThanks, John. I had never heard of either disease until I lost vision in my right eye. At most I’ve had mild symptoms for GCA and inflammation markers were only mildly elevated. The ER docs thought I’d had a stroke, but the ophthalmologist recommended temporal biopsy, which came back positive for GCA. I’ve been tracking other symptoms regarding PMR for my next meeting with my rheumatologist. I’m tapering down on prednisone and I take once weekly actemra injections.
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Like -
Helpful -
Hug
6 ReactionsDuring Covid we used the covid money the government sent and to put it back into the economy instead of paying off the home equity loan we bought a sauna kit and made it in the back yard! A Huge expense but it has been the best investment. We use it 3x a week winter in Minnesota and summer! And to the point. It absolutely helps the stiffness and soreness of not only my PMR but my arthritis. Then I go in an ice bath in the bathtub inside. or sit in the snow! Which I thinks helps even more. I have been doing Ice plunges in lakes in the winter and it does wonders!! for my aches and pains and my attitude. I am 78 I have had PMR for 7 years now at 2mg. still trying to get off the prednisone.
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7 ReactionsTry a hot tub. I find it does miricles
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2 ReactionsThank you @richer for this post. Before loosing sight what were your symptoms? Did you regain your sight with treatment? I do hope so and send you warm wishes for a full recovery.
I have found that 15 minutes in a steam sauna 3 or 4 times a week helps with relaxation and improves my overall sense of wellbeing, but has not seemed to alter the course of my pmr symptoms. (First attack, age > 70, prednisone at 20 mg started 10 months ago with almost complete relief in 48 hrs, tapering by 2.5 mg/mo to 10 mg, then by 1 mg per month. Flared at 5 mg, resolved with increase to 7 mg, now at 4.5 mg and am tapering by 0.5 mg every 4 to 6 weeks. Still have mild pains in shoulders, about 1/10, but only with exercise and not at rest). Best of luck to you, wish you a lasting remission.
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4 ReactionsYou are one amazing and brave women. I’m very impressed🥰
or crazy!! haha. thanks.