Hello. I read a bit about the side effects of Leflunomide and was afraid to try it. I forget the exact ones that had me anxious, but I know that it takes a long time to get fully into your system, and then if you don't tolerate it well, it takes a long time to get out of your system. Unlike prednisone, which is pretty much completely gone one day after your last pill.

So I asked if I could try to manage my symptoms through diet and exercise, and while I still have symptoms, they did get a lot more manageable until last summer, when I got Covid, and then things seemed to get worse again. I went on another round (month) of prednisone, and now am taking Meloxicam, an anti-inflammatory.

I tolerated the steroids well, but my rheumatologist doesn't seem to want me taking them any longer than a month at a time. So I'm still trying to find the right balance, and the Meloxicam is helping for now, but I'd like to get off of it and manage just with diet and exercise alone.

I'm looking for the best diet for PMR, to reduce inflammation and be overall healthier. There is so much conflicting information out there!

Thanks John. I did try the search option but it didn't give me anything. Doesn't sound like lefludomide is going to be fun unless I want a bald head...so we'll see what happens...my gut says I should not take it but I feel like I need to at least try. Take care...