1. < Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR)
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GLP-1 Drugs Effects on PMR

Posted by christopherc @christopherc, Mar 28 8:08am

I recently read that some GLP-1 drugs like Zepbound can reduce systemic inflammation in autoimmune diseases including arthritis. Has anyone started taking a GLP-1 for diabetes or obesity after being diagnosed with PMR and found that it reduced the inflammation and pain and/or stiffness the disease causes? I know it can be hard to distinguish relief from other treatments like prednisone but I’d be interested in whether anyone thinks a GLP-1 drug significantly reduced their PMR symptoms.

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zendaysahead | @zendaysahead | Sep 2 1:12am
In reply to @p0rtia "@zendaysahead I've been on a GLP-1 on and off (mostly on except for a three-month break)..." + (show)
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@zendaysahead I've been on a GLP-1 on and off (mostly on except for a three-month break) for almost three years. I have had various muscle, joint, and nerve issues before and during that time. I have never felt that the GLP-1 had any effect on my pain/stiffness levels. (Terrific for suppressing appetite and increasing fullness, though, as advertised.)

I was officially diagnosed with PMR 3 months ago, but my best guess is that I had it for at least two years before that. Of course, that's just me and my mix of issues.

On a related topic, both my primary and my rheumy feel that a GLP-1 and prednisone are a good fit. I've read a few articles that say the same, and a few that sort of casually disagree, but haven't done a deep dive yet.

Good luck.

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@p0rtia Thanks for this information - I'll research these articles and look into this combination.

Side note: I was diagnosed with PMR at 50 (not sure how old you are or if you're a woman as I am) I'm 64 now and my ND suspects that I probably needed HRT instead of prednisone - or maybe both to relieve the pain immediately then tapper off the prednisone. I'm stuck on prednisone for life now and it does come with longer term effects that I'm constantly monitoring. So food for thought. Thanks again.

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rlstonejr | @rlstonejr | Sep 2 5:45am

PMR and Prednisone for 12 yrs. Rybelsus/Ozempic for blood sugar control the last 9 months. I’ve seen no PMR effect from GLP-1

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kjoed53 | @kjoed53 | Sep 2 8:31am

Some GLP-1 drugs may have moderate impact on inflammation for some people but it hasn't been studied as such. Weight loss is probably the biggest effect on inflammation and pain. Many people experience weight gain after stopping GLP-1 drugs and it's possible that even a modest weight gain could have a major impact on inflammation and pain. In our situation, whatever works is a good thing. It doesn't always matter why or how it works. I read an article the other day about potential and unexpected benefits of a diabetes drug that has been used for decades. The human body is so complex that medical science is constantly learning and changing.

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msmtred13 | @msmtred13 | 6 days ago

I'm still in pain, but it has slowly reduced my inflammation. My sed rate is the one that's so high. My CRP has improved.

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