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Alternative to Prednisone for Treating PMR?

Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) | Last Active: Aug 25, 2023 | Replies (68)
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@tsc

Hi @kvd9 when prednisone was disrupting my sleep, I found a tea of lemon balm and valerian helpful. I would get up and read a book, drink the tea, get drowsy, go to bed and be able to get a couple hours more of sleep. I stopped feeling like a super energetic zombie.
Don't take melatonin as PMR is an autoimmune disorder and melatonin is to be avoided. Now that I'm down to 4 mg my normal sleeping pattern, I sleep as I always did, before 40 mg for Giant Cell Arteritis.
I did Pilates for 25 years, and when diagnosed with osteoporosis was shocked to learn that many of the Pilates exercises - involving forward flexion of the spine, that wonderful C curve, can cause vertetebral fractures. The same is true of Yoga. I found exercisews appropriate for osteoporosis - Carol Michaels and Sara Meeks.
Best wishes, Teri

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kvd9 | @kvd9 | Jan 27, 2022

Thank you very much Teri @tsc. Unfortunately I have an allergic reaction to Valerian, it gives me heart palpitations!
I had private zoom lessons for Pilates, thanks to lockdown, with an instructor who was very careful because of the osteoporosis . And the strengthening is necessary as much as possible! Mostly do walking now. But sometimes I feel like I need a magic wand!
But I didn't know that about melatonin, so thanks for that info.
Wishing you health and well being, K

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milld835 | @milld835 | Jan 28, 2022

Thanks Teri. I had thought of Valerian as well, so I may just try your tea. I will forget about the Melatonin. When I'm down to a lower dose, hopefully I too will stop feeling like a super energizer bunny. Also, when my aunt had terrible osteoporosis, she in her 60's started doing Tai Chi. It was soft and slow and weight bearing and really helped her. She was in so much pain and to watch her do the fluid movements of Tai Chi was very inspirational. She also walked quite alot. Her sister, Ida, became a Yoga master in her 70's and lived to be 103 (just a side note). Two amazing sisters. Thanks again ~ Deb

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