My PMR is finally in my knees (after being everywhere else.) But I too have bad knees with grinding and clicking but managing ok. Just went to my PC who suggested BPC-157. Anyone hear of this or experience with taking it?
@gailg I took BPC 157 for awhile in my years prior to PMR. I had knee replacement and thought I would try peptides. I took it with CJC 1295. I had it compounded at a pharmacy ordered through my Dr. I took both for about a year. It got hard to get both medications due to non-FDA approved. I had my IGF levels checked when I started and when I finished. They were up slightly. I decided it was not worth all the hassle. Plus I could not tell it was making any difference. Although I had no reaction to either as well.
About a month after I tapered off of taking Prednisone for 1.5 years, I began developing some bilateral aches in my knees, wrists, and shoulders. They were similar to PMR aches, but not completely. My PMR aches included muscles and these aches were different. I was taking extended release Tylenol to try to control the pain, but it wasn't working. I discussed with my rheumy and she is suspecting osteoarthritis. She agreed that based on my symptoms, it didn't seem like PMR pain. Tomorrow, I will be getting my knees, hands, and shoulders x-rayed to determine if osteoarthritis could be the culprit. In the meantime, I am taking celebrex. I'm so happy that my rheumy didn't recommend Prednisone. It seems to be helping a bit, but I'm not completely pain free. I'll report back after results.
About a month after I tapered off of taking Prednisone for 1.5 years, I began developing some bilateral aches in my knees, wrists, and shoulders. They were similar to PMR aches, but not completely. My PMR aches included muscles and these aches were different. I was taking extended release Tylenol to try to control the pain, but it wasn't working. I discussed with my rheumy and she is suspecting osteoarthritis. She agreed that based on my symptoms, it didn't seem like PMR pain. Tomorrow, I will be getting my knees, hands, and shoulders x-rayed to determine if osteoarthritis could be the culprit. In the meantime, I am taking celebrex. I'm so happy that my rheumy didn't recommend Prednisone. It seems to be helping a bit, but I'm not completely pain free. I'll report back after results.
I have been on and off prednisone for 7 ears now. When my inflammatory markers are high enough I can no longer "feel" the osteo arthritic pain in my knees and shoulders. Also, if I am on a high enough dose of prednisone, like above 10mg/day I still cannot feel the OA pain. At around 10mg/day and the inflammatory markers being close to or in normal range I begin to feel the OA knee and shoulder pain. I routinely receive hyaluronic acid injections (the knee gel injections you hear advertised on TV) for the OA pain in my knees. I get either steroid or hyaluronic acid in my shoulders also.
@stonewheel I am in the USA (Texas) as well. My shoulder Ortho will give me hyaluronic acid in my shoulders if I private pay for the drug at the drug store and bring it to him. It costs be about $125 for each injection. The USA is the only country in the world that has not approved hyaluronic acid for shoulder OA.
In discriminating between the pain of PMR and the pain of osteoarthritis, it helps to get x-rays and if available MRIs of the affected joints. As I began to taper down on Prednisone, I wrongly believed the pain I felt in my hips and lower spine was PMR and I delayed the taper accordingly. I was wrong to do so. X-rays showed the pain was from advanced osteoarthritis and spinal stenosis. I have resumed the taper, using acetaminophen to relieve the joint pain.
@stonewheel I am in the USA (Texas) as well. My shoulder Ortho will give me hyaluronic acid in my shoulders if I private pay for the drug at the drug store and bring it to him. It costs be about $125 for each injection. The USA is the only country in the world that has not approved hyaluronic acid for shoulder OA.
@stonewheel I asked which is how I found out - it was not freely offered. I ask a lot of questions. Most likely the injectable drug won't be covered by your insurance so shop around using GoodRx, etc. I asked Dr Google to help me shop.
It seems that some doctors will give you private pay options when they discuss your options, other doctors only mention them when asked.
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@gailg I took BPC 157 for awhile in my years prior to PMR. I had knee replacement and thought I would try peptides. I took it with CJC 1295. I had it compounded at a pharmacy ordered through my Dr. I took both for about a year. It got hard to get both medications due to non-FDA approved. I had my IGF levels checked when I started and when I finished. They were up slightly. I decided it was not worth all the hassle. Plus I could not tell it was making any difference. Although I had no reaction to either as well.
@gailg I have not, but I humbly suggest trying PT before adding more meds. I've been pleasantly surprised by how many aches PT has helped with.
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1 ReactionAbout a month after I tapered off of taking Prednisone for 1.5 years, I began developing some bilateral aches in my knees, wrists, and shoulders. They were similar to PMR aches, but not completely. My PMR aches included muscles and these aches were different. I was taking extended release Tylenol to try to control the pain, but it wasn't working. I discussed with my rheumy and she is suspecting osteoarthritis. She agreed that based on my symptoms, it didn't seem like PMR pain. Tomorrow, I will be getting my knees, hands, and shoulders x-rayed to determine if osteoarthritis could be the culprit. In the meantime, I am taking celebrex. I'm so happy that my rheumy didn't recommend Prednisone. It seems to be helping a bit, but I'm not completely pain free. I'll report back after results.
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1 Reaction@ropnrose my dr suggested Tylenol for Arthritis…..😉
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1 Reaction@tweetypie13 I've been taking the extended release Tylenol for 4 months. Not much relief. I'm getting some from the CELEBREX.
@jabrown0407 where are you? I’m in USA, and only hyaluronic acid injections in knees.
I works well for me. Left knee.
Every six months.
Steroid injections didn’t help me.
@stonewheel I am in the USA (Texas) as well. My shoulder Ortho will give me hyaluronic acid in my shoulders if I private pay for the drug at the drug store and bring it to him. It costs be about $125 for each injection. The USA is the only country in the world that has not approved hyaluronic acid for shoulder OA.
In discriminating between the pain of PMR and the pain of osteoarthritis, it helps to get x-rays and if available MRIs of the affected joints. As I began to taper down on Prednisone, I wrongly believed the pain I felt in my hips and lower spine was PMR and I delayed the taper accordingly. I was wrong to do so. X-rays showed the pain was from advanced osteoarthritis and spinal stenosis. I have resumed the taper, using acetaminophen to relieve the joint pain.
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2 Reactions@jabrown0407 I’m in the Lone Star state. I didn’t know that was an option.
@stonewheel I asked which is how I found out - it was not freely offered. I ask a lot of questions. Most likely the injectable drug won't be covered by your insurance so shop around using GoodRx, etc. I asked Dr Google to help me shop.
It seems that some doctors will give you private pay options when they discuss your options, other doctors only mention them when asked.
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Helpful -
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