1. < Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR)
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PMR Flare

Posted by judyal @judyal, Sep 1 7:19am

Haven't had a flare of PMR since 2019 but won't forget the pain. I think I'm having one now, but couldn't get an appt w/Rheum. PA for another week. (already been 4wks.) I'm sure they will do blood work to confirm. It seems to travel and affect arms, lower back, thighs/hips and other major muscles so I'm sure it has returned. I've been applying heat in the morning, but it only helps a little and even getting out of bed is a struggle. Anyone use OTC meds to help w/pain and if so, which ones?

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

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joancollins | @joancollins | 1 day ago
In reply to @elizabethannr "I read long ago that caffeine helps boost the effect of some OTC painkillers. It was..." + (show)
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I read long ago that caffeine helps boost the effect of some OTC painkillers. It was mainly directed at aspirin, and that was when some aspirins and ibuprofens began to have caffeine added. I have read that Tylenol works the best for PMR patients and I certainly learned the hard way that ibuprofen does nothing for t his sort of pain. So in the AM the first thing I do when my coffeepot timer goes off and lets me know the coffee is ready, is to have a mug of strong black coffee with one Extra Strength Tylenol. Within 20 minutes my aches and pains are very eased and I can get up and start my day, thankfully, very well. At this stage, one Tylenol works fine, so I figured why mess with 2 if one works well enough.

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@elizabethannr how long were you on predisone have you had your cortisol levels checked. Tx joancollins9887@yahoo.com

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54pontiac | @54pontiac | 1 day ago
In reply to @elizabethannr "I read long ago that caffeine helps boost the effect of some OTC painkillers. It was..." + (show)
Profile picture for Elizabeth R @elizabethannr

I read long ago that caffeine helps boost the effect of some OTC painkillers. It was mainly directed at aspirin, and that was when some aspirins and ibuprofens began to have caffeine added. I have read that Tylenol works the best for PMR patients and I certainly learned the hard way that ibuprofen does nothing for t his sort of pain. So in the AM the first thing I do when my coffeepot timer goes off and lets me know the coffee is ready, is to have a mug of strong black coffee with one Extra Strength Tylenol. Within 20 minutes my aches and pains are very eased and I can get up and start my day, thankfully, very well. At this stage, one Tylenol works fine, so I figured why mess with 2 if one works well enough.

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@elizabethannr My experience has been the opposite. After tapering off the prednisone, some soreness came back. I found that Tylenol did nothing for me but ibuprofin does help some. I also drink coffee in the morning. Wacky disease!

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denniskreih | @denniskreih | 6 hours ago

Aleve helped in the short term, 1 gel in Morning and 1 at night. Lidocane 5% on shoulders….12 hours on, 12 off. Light excercise seemed to help in the AM.

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