1. < Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR)

Melatonin and PMR

Posted by novabill @novabill, Jun 27, 2021

After taking 40 mg or Prednisone for 3 days the PMR symptoms were mostly gone. However, once back on 20 mg dosage the morning pain and stiffness has returned not too mention during the night also (this has happened three times). Most nights I take 10 mg of Melatonin, I'm not confident in what I read on effect of melatonin on prednisone - so any feedback will be appreciated.

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abbeyc | @abbeyc | Jan 20, 2022
In reply to @johnbishop "Welcome @abbeyc, What you mentioned about Melatonin and inflammation is interesting. I haven't seen that and..." + (show)
@johnbishop

Welcome @abbeyc, What you mentioned about Melatonin and inflammation is interesting. I haven't seen that and would love to read it if you can remember where you saw the article. From what I've read, Melatonin possesses anti-inflammatory properties.

"Melatonin has been shown to possess anti-inflammatory effects, among a number of actions. Melatonin reduces tissue destruction during inflammatory reactions by a number of means. Thus melatonin, by virtue of its ability to directly scavenge toxic free radicals, reduces macromolecular damage in all organs."
-- Melatonin and its relation to the immune system and inflammation: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11268363/

Are you currently taking prednisone for your PMR?

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I will have to look for it. I don't disagree that you know what you are talking about. I am by no means a medical expert. But I do notice that my achiness and stiffness get worse as soon as night time falls so I think our bodies become aware and something happens with the inflammation. I read this is one reason it becomes so painful for us overnight into the morning besides the fact that we are not moving.

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2 replies
Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Jan 20, 2022
In reply to @abbeyc "I will have to look for it. I don't disagree that you know what you are..." + (show)
@abbeyc

I will have to look for it. I don't disagree that you know what you are talking about. I am by no means a medical expert. But I do notice that my achiness and stiffness get worse as soon as night time falls so I think our bodies become aware and something happens with the inflammation. I read this is one reason it becomes so painful for us overnight into the morning besides the fact that we are not moving.

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I’m not a medical expert either. I was just sharing an article from a reliable source that was from a different perspective. That’s why I was wanting to read the article you mentioned.

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christopherc | @christopherc | Jan 21, 2022
In reply to @abbeyc "I will have to look for it. I don't disagree that you know what you are..." + (show)
@abbeyc

I will have to look for it. I don't disagree that you know what you are talking about. I am by no means a medical expert. But I do notice that my achiness and stiffness get worse as soon as night time falls so I think our bodies become aware and something happens with the inflammation. I read this is one reason it becomes so painful for us overnight into the morning besides the fact that we are not moving.

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There is evidence that people with PMR should take their prescribed dose of prednisone later in the day, even just before bed. After my PMR Diagnosis I was taking 15MGM of prednisone in the morning as directed by my rheumatologist and it wasn’t working after three days. So I switched to taking it before bed and bingo the next morning I felt great relief. I now take it after dinner so I am taking it with food to reduce digestive problems and it works well for me. The study I said inflammation occurs at night and you need the prednisone most at 3AM so you quell the inflammation and wake up feeling less stiff and sore. Just food for thought. Best wishes to all for good results.

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1 reply
Teri | @tsc | Jan 21, 2022
In reply to @abbeyc "I recall reading that something happens to the body at night which causes inflammation to increase..." + (show)
@abbeyc

I recall reading that something happens to the body at night which causes inflammation to increase during the night and it is correlated to your body's own melatonin. I took 5 mg of Melatonin every night for the past 5 years. My PMR started 1 month ago and I stopped the Melatonin immediately when I read this. I don't think the Melatonin caused the PMR, I just am cautious that it could make it worse.

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I have Giant Cell Arteritis and ordered melatonin to help me sleep as the high dosage of prednisone I was on made sleep difficult. All melatonin bottles have warnings not to take if you have an autoimmune disorder, which both PMR and GCA are. I'm glad I read that before taking the melatonin. If I recall correctly, melatonin stimulates the immune system, but as both PMR and GCA are autoimmune disorders - with genetic markers -we want to calm down ou immune systems (with Prednisone), not overstimulate them. I had success sleeping better with lemon balm tea, and now that I'm on a lower dose of prednisone, 4 mg, I sleep fine. All the best, Teri

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2 replies
abbeyc | @abbeyc | Jan 21, 2022
In reply to @tsc "I have Giant Cell Arteritis and ordered melatonin to help me sleep as the high dosage..." + (show)
@tsc

I have Giant Cell Arteritis and ordered melatonin to help me sleep as the high dosage of prednisone I was on made sleep difficult. All melatonin bottles have warnings not to take if you have an autoimmune disorder, which both PMR and GCA are. I'm glad I read that before taking the melatonin. If I recall correctly, melatonin stimulates the immune system, but as both PMR and GCA are autoimmune disorders - with genetic markers -we want to calm down ou immune systems (with Prednisone), not overstimulate them. I had success sleeping better with lemon balm tea, and now that I'm on a lower dose of prednisone, 4 mg, I sleep fine. All the best, Teri

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Ah hah. Interesting. Thanks for sharing that info!

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abbeyc | @abbeyc | Jan 21, 2022
In reply to @christopherc "There is evidence that people with PMR should take their prescribed dose of prednisone later in..." + (show)
@christopherc

There is evidence that people with PMR should take their prescribed dose of prednisone later in the day, even just before bed. After my PMR Diagnosis I was taking 15MGM of prednisone in the morning as directed by my rheumatologist and it wasn’t working after three days. So I switched to taking it before bed and bingo the next morning I felt great relief. I now take it after dinner so I am taking it with food to reduce digestive problems and it works well for me. The study I said inflammation occurs at night and you need the prednisone most at 3AM so you quell the inflammation and wake up feeling less stiff and sore. Just food for thought. Best wishes to all for good results.

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Interesting. What you say correlates with what I was reading before also about Melatonin. and that most inflammation happens in the middle of the night around 2am - 3am. This is for the same reason that I also take my prednisone at dinner to help the mornings be easier.

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1 reply
christopherc | @christopherc | Jan 21, 2022
In reply to @abbeyc "Interesting. What you say correlates with what I was reading before also about Melatonin. and that..." + (show)
@abbeyc

Interesting. What you say correlates with what I was reading before also about Melatonin. and that most inflammation happens in the middle of the night around 2am - 3am. This is for the same reason that I also take my prednisone at dinner to help the mornings be easier.

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We’ll I’m glad you figured that out too. It makes a world of difference. At least it did for me. Good luck in your recovery from PMR, Abbey.

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milld835 | @milld835 | Feb 5, 2022

I am having good results with Nighty Night Super Valerian Tea about an hour and half before bedtime. Melatonin was recommended by some and poo poo'd by others. I also have Valerian Tincture which I take about 1/2 a dropper with a little water earlier in the evening. I had to start taking a little earlier because it was not metabolizing by bedtime. After it kicks in, night night. I'm always leary about trying herbal remedies, but Teri who is a Mentor on MCC has used and recommended.

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milld835 | @milld835 | Feb 5, 2022
In reply to @tsc "I have Giant Cell Arteritis and ordered melatonin to help me sleep as the high dosage..." + (show)
@tsc

I have Giant Cell Arteritis and ordered melatonin to help me sleep as the high dosage of prednisone I was on made sleep difficult. All melatonin bottles have warnings not to take if you have an autoimmune disorder, which both PMR and GCA are. I'm glad I read that before taking the melatonin. If I recall correctly, melatonin stimulates the immune system, but as both PMR and GCA are autoimmune disorders - with genetic markers -we want to calm down ou immune systems (with Prednisone), not overstimulate them. I had success sleeping better with lemon balm tea, and now that I'm on a lower dose of prednisone, 4 mg, I sleep fine. All the best, Teri

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Thank you Teri. Having great results with Valerian/Lemon Balm Tea (Nighty Night Super) and Valerian Tincture. Much welcomed sleep and very rested in the morning.

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1 reply
tarmansbks | @tarmansbks | Feb 6, 2022

My melatonin bottle instructions warned not to use it if on prednisone so I stopped using it. Interested in comment on prednisone in evening as sometimes it is said to cause troubled dreaming according to my rheumatologist. Will have to see if it would help me not get awake at 3 a.m. Magnesium tabs seem to help me sleep and restlessness.

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