Pmr and no drugs

Posted by teresag1 @teresag1, 6 days ago

Has anyone managed pmr without drugs? I have severe glaucoma and can’t do prednisone. Recommended Kevzara but I’m afraid of it. Right now my morning pain is not bad and eases up mid morning.

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

Profile picture for wendypics @wendypics

Does anyone have info about NOT using prednisone and using ibuprofen, diet exercise, meditation etc instead? I don't want to continue with prednisone... feels like I'm trading one disease for another!!

Jump to this post

@wendypics They have anti inflammatory diets you could use for that part. Careful about exercise since it is known to cause inflammation which is what you are trying to eliminate. Exercise needs to be appropriate for you condition. I actually started getting hives after using Tylenol for over two years. I am allergic to all non-steroidal drugs and now I can only use Tylenol in small dose for short amount of time.

REPLY
Profile picture for clendenin @clendenin

@boomermeg where is your pain? I would absolutely go talk to your doctor about upping the dose even more. I started out with 60 mg, which knocked out the pain let me tell you. The PMR pain is mostly in between my shoulder blades. But when it reaches the buttocks, and I have trouble sleeping, eating or resting upright, then it’s a problem. I’ve been back and forth on what to take and what to do for fear of side effects. It seems to come on seasonally too. Right now being quite high in the discomfort zone. Mineral epsom salt baths really help. I hope you find relief! Tell your dr about your pain levels!

Jump to this post

@clendenin
clendenin I was diagnosed in February with 40mg of prednisone, have been up and down with it and now on 5 mg. I do not see a rheumatologist until October 12. My pain is shoulders, arms, hips, legs and when it is hurting so bad in evening I have taken marijuana which has helped me sleep. I live in a state where marijuana is legal and I have a medical marijuana card. Not sure if anyone in chat group has tried this for pain. I hope you find relief. I’m 78 years young

REPLY

Oh yes! Mmj is the way to go! Once the research has been done, I bet the truth will be known on why it is so therapeutic. Hats off the the natives!

REPLY
Profile picture for kjoed53 @kjoed53

@wendypics
10mg prednisone is on the low end. If that works for you, you are very lucky.

Jump to this post

@kjoed53 I am also on a low-dose; rheumatologist started me at 8 mg back in January 2026, because I have osteopenia, and even on that low dose I ended up with a bilateral (both sides of the spine) fractured sacrum in May. One of the most painful injuries I have ever had to overcome, it is still healing. I’ve been on a walker ever since. I had to have a sacroplasty, which is using bone cement on the breakage - because I could not put any weight on my right leg.
He is Trying to get me off of the prednisolone, first with methotrexate - seven tablets weekly, which caused no real problems but no help either, and now my second infusion of Kevzara every 2 weeks. I am hoping that works. The side effects I’ve noticed from that injection last week was it made me feel very sick for a couple days, in bed with increased pain. I am praying that both can help me get off the steroids which has had such terrible effects on my bones. I am slowly recovering.
I am also very allergic to drugs. I have a long list of allergies that have built up over the years, one being NSAIDS. I used them for my arthritis pain for many years before my back problems were diagnosed. The end result was severe diarrhea daily, if I took even one ibuprofen. Be careful with all drugs!
If you can control your PMR with diet and natural supplements, I would recommend that. All the best to you all. I am thankful for all of the comments in this community.

REPLY
Profile picture for ga29 @ga29

@kjoed53 I am also on a low-dose; rheumatologist started me at 8 mg back in January 2026, because I have osteopenia, and even on that low dose I ended up with a bilateral (both sides of the spine) fractured sacrum in May. One of the most painful injuries I have ever had to overcome, it is still healing. I’ve been on a walker ever since. I had to have a sacroplasty, which is using bone cement on the breakage - because I could not put any weight on my right leg.
He is Trying to get me off of the prednisolone, first with methotrexate - seven tablets weekly, which caused no real problems but no help either, and now my second infusion of Kevzara every 2 weeks. I am hoping that works. The side effects I’ve noticed from that injection last week was it made me feel very sick for a couple days, in bed with increased pain. I am praying that both can help me get off the steroids which has had such terrible effects on my bones. I am slowly recovering.
I am also very allergic to drugs. I have a long list of allergies that have built up over the years, one being NSAIDS. I used them for my arthritis pain for many years before my back problems were diagnosed. The end result was severe diarrhea daily, if I took even one ibuprofen. Be careful with all drugs!
If you can control your PMR with diet and natural supplements, I would recommend that. All the best to you all. I am thankful for all of the comments in this community.

Jump to this post

@ga29
I'm sorry that you are going through that. You started at a disadvantage because of your osteopenia. You probably should have been started on kevzara from the beginning while also taking calcium and D3 supplements. Hopefully there are better days ahead for you.

REPLY

Thanks, thank you for your reply, I wish they had done that. Is there a possibility that the Kevzara would not have been approved without trying the other drugs first? I don’t know the answer to that.

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.