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Pain at night

Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) | Last Active: 8 hours ago | Replies (16)

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@kjoed53

I think more doctors would be adamantly opposed to LDN compared to splitting a prednisone dose. At least my doctor was opposed when I mentioned LDN..

I'm not opposed to LDN as long as it works for you. Many patients report that it works for "chronic pain" ---see Figure #1 in the following link.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3962576/
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I don't think any research has been done for LDN specifically as a treatment for PMR. Of course, the research hasn't been submitted to the FDA for Actemra to be used to treat PMR either. Actemra can be used "off label" for PMR and it works for me. I wouldn't dare say LDN won't work for someone else.

I only have a bit of a problem when people claim prednisone is the "best option" or the "only option" for PMR. I kind of think prednisone won't be the "mainstay treatment" for PMR much longer in the USA at least---I could be wrong.

The thought that prednisone is the "only option" is why nothing has changed in the treatment of PMR for more than 50 years. When a person told me that doctors in the USA were "breaking the rules" for treating PMR with Actemra, they weren't very suportive. They were more supportive of me taking prednisone for the rest of my life.

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Replies to "@kjoed53 I think more doctors would be adamantly opposed to LDN compared to splitting a prednisone..."

@dadcue
Prednisone is the cheapest option so insurance loves it. The reason for so few alternatives is that there's no money in it as long as the cheap option is effective, which it usually is. My rheumatologist laid out his reasoning for not splitting prednisone and it made perfect sense to me, but don't ask me to remember why.

LDN has been studied for fibromyalgia more than other disorders, but it reduces inflammation and pain. It is also being prescribed for off label use for Crohn's, MS, RA and chronic pain and fatigue. I think any doctor who considers it is both confident and informed. For me it's a bridge from prednisone to kevzara. It's not going to replace prednisone but it might help people take lower doses, and it is perfect to take at night a couple of hours before bed.