1. < Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR)

Addition of Far Infrared Light to meds

Posted by willamjmillerdmd @willamjmillerdmd, 2 days ago

I am 76 years and 10 1/2 months old . Genetically predisposed. I have had PMR since October 2017. My PMR was associated with the 2017 Flu vaccine in which the adjuvant MF59 a squalene was used. I also had a severe relapse when my fourth Covid vaccine was administered by an unknowing pharmacist who claimed the MF 59 was not in that Pfizer vaccine after no problems with the Moderna from which I had no problem. In any event I am always looking for something that can help without more meds and complications. Eight weeks ago I began using dry sauna treatment to try to see if it could offer me additional relief from the daily symptoms of the PMR. Use of Far Infrared Light has been successful for many many toxicities and ailments. At first I thought no way. After three weeks my body and daily symptoms were significantly improved. I continued my methotrexate 0.8 ml and daily 6.5?mg of prednisone. I do not intend to stop my meds but I am anxious to see my next lab results for inflammation. I have never felt better in the seven years of my journey with PMR. I began at shorter times and temperatures until I found a comfortable combination of time , usually 20 minutes, and temperature , daily st about 125-130. Lots of endorphins apparently as well as perhaps eliminating other toxins, I think the effect lasts 24-30 hours as I have deliberately skipped a day to see when my PMR symptoms would reoccur. I spoke with my Rheumatologist about this and they said they were unaware of the use of this Far Infrared Light for PMR. I offer this as a question and a comment of my personal experience and wonder if anyone else has tried this dry sauna therapy. There is tons of literature about the potential for using this Far Infrared Light. Hope to hear some discussion about this alternative treatment.

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

megz | @megz | 2 days ago

That's an interesting anecdotal report on red light therapy while taking prednisone. It wouldn't be easy to separate the effects on you of the dry sauna from the red light effects. I'd read up on red light therapy for PMR and it seemed promising, so asked my doctor if I could try it. She said no, not while taking steroids. The simple explanation is that red light therapy stimulates an immune response and prednisone is taken to slow down an immune response. When I get off prednisolone I intend to investigate it again.

Meanwhile, a natural dose of red light is available from the sun by being outdoors at sunrise and/or sunset each day. I'm not an early riser, but sometimes remember to get outside around sunset. Should do it more consistently.

REPLY
willamjmillerdmd | @willamjmillerdmd | 2 days ago

Red light therapist similar but does not affect the depth of tissue as the Far Infrared Light . If you read you will find that the red light treatment is more for dermatology than in recovery which is the purpose of the Far Infrared Light therapy. As always there are many opinions. My Rheumatologist had no concerns with respect to my use and the prednisone. In any event I encourage you and others to find out more about the Far Infrared Lights potential for healing the pain of the muscle and its attachment complex with respect to healing circulation especially in older patients like me. I can’t argue with my results as far as how I feel. Not sure if the blood work will be any different for inflammatory markers or anything else. Thanks for your thoughts.

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.