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Bee stings beneficial for PMR?
I've been stung by a bee twice in the last few weeks, walking on grass with open toed slip-on shoes. I haven't been stung for years.
My current reduction down to 6.5mg pred has me anxious, as last time I reduced to 6/6.5mg I had a pain and inflammation flare which sent me back to 15mg start dose.
Expecting that bee stings could worsen PMR, I googled the effect of stings on arthritic auto-immune conditions and had a pleasant surprise. Unless you are allergic to bees, the melittin in bee venom has medicinal properties "antibacterial and anti-viral properties, anti-inflammatory properties, pain relieving properties and anti-cancer properties."
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/bee-stings-for-arthritis
I've had no new pain at all so far since reducing to 6.5mg. I don't plan on being stung again, but wouldn't it be great if those bee stings turned out to have helped.
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@megz
The bee sting probably did help you! However, I’m allergic to bees so would not (at least not intentionally!) use this route of therapy!
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1 ReactionI would be really interested in participating in a bee venom study/research.I am already in pain so even though I've never been stung I am willing to try anything to reduce my pain.
Welcome @bethblack, Sorry to hear you also have PMR. Are you currently taking prednisone or other medications to treat the PMR symptoms?
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1 Reaction@bethblack I had to be put on a pain reliever for my pain to subside
The only thing I was given is gabapenten,no prednisone in two years since My first flares 2years ago.