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Why does alcohol relieve my symptoms the next day?
I'm down to 5mg of Prednisone coming down from 15mg over the last 6 months. I have noticed the PMR symptoms gradually coming back commensurate with each Prednisone reduction, but so far it has been tolerable -- some stiffness in the hands and pain in the left shoulder in the mornings --but these all seem to resolve by noon.
But I have observed something interesting...
I have a celebratory martini each Friday after work at home followed by a glass of red wine at Friday dinner out with my wife. I know, I know, alcohol is bad. But here's the thing.....
I have NO stiffness in my hands or shoulders the next day!
This is not a one-time observation, it is a reliably repeatable pattern. Every Saturday morning after a few drinks Friday night, I wake up to NO hand/wrist/shoulder stiffness/pain.
This is totally counter-intuitive to me. Alcohol is supposed to be inflammatory, but a few drinks eliminate my PMR symptoms the next day.
Why?
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@cyndiefromnc Yup! Those are my three, except not running but aqua aerobics. Occasional glass of wine and coffee and, I’ll add home made sourdough toast. On my 3 rd month at 10 mg. Started with 12.5 so not too high.
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3 Reactions@cwbf
Look for red wine without added sulfites and see if that makes a difference. Sulfites are naturally occurring in red wine but sometimes they add more and that could be contributing to your sleep issues.
@kjoed53 Thank you. I hope that turns out to be the answer.....
@cwbf
If you have trouble finding which ones don't add sulfites, some say so on the label, but I would think that organic wines would not have added sulfites, then again you never know.
I'm about a year in with my PMR symptoms and have gotten off prednisone after 2 months because of erratic heart rhythms. I am not taking any medication at this time! The prednisone took the pain away after 2 weeks but the heart's side effects were horrible. I have started to exercise once again and lost quite a bit of weight through walking but every time but when I try to do anything regarding my shoulders I suffer horrible. I do have full range of movement in my shoulders but anytime I place a load on the shoulders I suffer. I tried swimming to no avail! I did sauna everyday for 2 months for detox and it did help when I started to perspire. looking for ideas to exercise my shoulders.
Does anyone drink a little of daily wine while on monthly Actemra infusions?
@tweetypie13
I am two weeks since new diagnosis and start of 15 mg prednisone
How long did it take you to get off all drugs. Did you make any other lifestyle changes that you think helped?
@epidoc so sorry you have joined our ranks.
First off, I am in my 3rd year of active PMR. This is not a one shoe fits all kind of disease. Note 80yo female now. I did not, and do not, have any other health issues.
I hve always led a healthy diet, active lifestyle. This was probably brought on by a bike accident. Months to diagnose, CRP and SED numbers off the charts.
I was abt 1 yr on prednisone then started Kevzara biologic. As the kevzara kicked in (took 3 months as suggested) as I tapered off the prednisone.
I am 1 1/2 yrs on Kevzara , hoping to be off by the first of the year.
Lifestyle chges ….i was down and out crawling on the floor ‘til diagnosis.
Keep a daily journal of pain level, meds, diet, exercise. Dr visits etc.
I threw everything at it. Lucky enough to have the exposure and access to lots of support. Aqua PT, Functional Movement Specialist, fabulous husband, friends and assortment of great drs.
Lastly, scream, yell, and fight for all the help you can get.
Good luck.
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1 Reaction@tweetypie13
Interesting, about your theory that your PMR followed a bike accident. I had wondered if my PMR was brought on by a fall I took hiking in mid-May 2026. I had a direct hit to the infra-patellar bursa with significant swelling for months. My PMR symptoms started in June-July time frame. I thought that the very mild symptoms in my hips and shoulders were due to too many squats and using higher weights when weightlifting. However during a vacation in August, where I did no squats or weightlifting, my symptoms became worse.
I diagnosed myself in August-September timeframe based on symptoms and family history. Both my Father and his older brother had PMR. It took three weeks to get a definitive diagnosis because my GP is very busy. While waiting for the diagnosis, I increased on intake of anti-inflammatory foods including turmeric, flaxseed, more fruits and veggies. My ESR and CRP, while elevated, were 1/2 of the median levels I’ve seen when reading studies on PMR. I think the diet may have helped.
I responded quickly and well to 15 mg Prednisone. The infra-patellar bursa w]swelling resolved only after I started on prednisone. I have started a slow taper today. My goal is to hope my body will heal itself and can get off of steroids.
@tweetypie13
You might find this study of interest. About 17% of new onset PMR patients who identified a factor attributed an injury to onset of PMR.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5278275/