Bowel issues with PMR?

First, I would suggest you purchase a high-quality non-GMO probiotic to see if that helps any. I am not a believer in probiotics as a maintenance pill but if I am having problems I will try them first. Once I see that they are helping I will begin taking them every other day, then ever third day, etc until I am weaned off of them in hopes that I have given my body everything it needs.
Second, I would eat carefully for a couple of weeks while I am treating my GI to servings of "good guys". Then slowly I would reintroduce a more normal diet. I live in Texas and eat Tex-Mex routinely so I would avoid this, etc.
I had a Dx of IBS-D come along with the other symptoms of PMR, so it is possible. It took me two years to have it confirmed.

I attempted to control to control it with diet - it didn't help. I also started to take probiotics and was told I shouldn't be taking it with PMR.

@eparnold0219 Prednisone Use: Because PMR is frequently treated with long-term corticosteroid therapy like prednisone, patients who are significantly immunocompromised should exercise caution if considering taking probiotics

@eparnold0219 I’ve had bowel issues due to use of antacid and acid reducers with prednisone. As I weaned off prednisone and off the reducers I had horrible bowel issues. I had heard the same over the probiotic supplements so when I tried the probiotic supplements I quit taking them. Not sure what to believe about it. Still on Kevzara.
Have you tried kefir or plain yogurt or other probiotic foods? I also have IBS but have been told it’s not anything that is diagnosed with a colonoscopy, just symptoms.
Best wishes in dealing with all of this!

@caroljeand
Kefir in the grocery store is a far cry from the kefir you can make at home with the grains. I was told by a dietician that I should not expect the same benefits with store bought. That was more than a few years ago so things might have changed.

@eparnold0219 when I tried some pro biotic one night recently my tummy got quite “swollen”. Not quite gassy but noticeable. I thought sure I need to have good gut bacteria after 1.5 yrs on prednisone & methotrexate. I googled it & AI screamed it was a no-no. That I should immediately notify my dr etc. I didn’t notify Dr & quit taking them. Everything went back to normal. Gads! Who knew?? As mentioned before I am a vegan (very lazy) & buy vegan yogurt to add some good stuff? Hope AI doesn’t yell that’s a no-no.
I have noticed my BM’s can happen quickly in the mornings so now I stay home till I’m comfortable about venturing out. I have noticed they aren’t as frequent as when I was on higher dosages of prednisone! I’m now at 1 to 1.5 alternation pattern so maybe my poor bowels can heal?? I guess the next colonoscopy in a few yrs will tell me! Oh joy.😳

@kjoed53 there seems to be a good variety of probiotic strains in store bought kefir. I buy lifeway brand. I make homemade yogurt but have no idea about making kefir.

@caroljeand
Homemade yogurt is 10x better than what you can buy in the store. I had an old salton yogurt maker that stopped working and I'm not sure what to buy now. To make kefir you just need to get the grains from someone or buy some. They multiply quickly. I need to get my hands on more. I had to stop making it because of another issue and lost the one's I had. Sometimes a health food store can let you know where to get some.

@kare1 I am on 7mg Prednisone. Hope to drop to 6g next week.

@kjoed53 you don’t need a yogurt maker. Just heat your milk to 175 to 180 degrees, pour in a crock to cool to 110 degrees ( which calls for a candy thermometer, my
Mom never used one but knew by feel) and add in a tablespoon or two of starter.
Cover with blankets and let sit on counter for five hours.
Refrigerate and use day after the next day.
I use Dannon plain yogurt for starter which I can only find locally at Walmart.
With that batch you’ll have your starter.