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PMR Diet: Foods to eat and avoid
Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) | Last Active: Sep 30 8:17am | Replies (146)Comment receiving replies
@johnbishop
Hi John,
I have always followed a fairly good diet, 5-6 days a week of exercise, walking several miles a day and maintained a normal weight for my height. I’m not a regular alcohol drinker but have an occasional cocktail. I am celiac, so I eat no gluten.
I started experiencing PMR symptoms in June-July. I thought the pain was due to too many squats and using heavier weights. We were in Maine for 4 weeks were I only walked, hiked and did pottery, but continued to have symptoms. Since my Father had PMR I figured out that this was likely the issue. As a consequence I decided to purposely increase my intake of anti-inflammatory foods…primarily vegetables and fish, decrease sugars (most difficult change), added fresh turmeric, and no alcohol.
It took several weeks to get to see a physician who agreed with my diagnosis and ordered ESR and CRP. I have had two doses of 15 mg prednisone so far.
Of interest was that while my ESR and CRP are elevated they are about half of what I’ve seen for mean levels in several studies. Has me wondering if the diet changes I made had an impact in my ESR and CRO levels. I plan to continue the more anti-inflammatory diet because I would like to taper off prednisone as soon as possible.
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@epidoc Not scientifically proven, but seems you are right about really watching what you eat has a very positive effect on PMR and recovery. I was diagnosed early Jan 2026 and started pred on March 20. And yes, pain was gone in 1-2 hours after first 30MG dose. Tapered and last dose Sept 9. Six months only, I know how lucky I am compared to so many that suffer much longer. NO sugar, cut way back on cheese (which in Holland is a 'food group' and very challenging) salt and I never have eaten anything processed, or rarely anyway. I still have significant pain in both biceps and it lasts throughout the day. Guessing remnants of PMR just messed up the muscles. Sooooo physio and anti inflammatory foods for the month of October. Think fruit, winter squash/zucchini soup, bean chili with sweet potato. Salads. Soooo glad to be off prednisone. Hoping my hair will grow back. Cannot even tell you what this has done to my skin, yuck.