I developed PMR this winter, after being pretty much maintenance free all my life with no co-morbidities. But, I am female over 60 of Scandinavian descent which i have gleaned are risk factors. I had 3 Covid vaccines with no issues over a year prior to symptoms. Pretty sure I was exposed to Covid multiple times but never any symptoms or positive rapid test. After my CRP increased to 63.3 and I read about the possibility of also developing GCA, I began 40 mg of prednisone and was pain free in 3 hours. I continued on. Daily 40 mg of pred and had absolutely no side effects until my CRP dropped to 1.5 after 3 weeks. I created a radical tapering schedule to get off the pred which involves having the dose and an every other day dose. Today, I begin 10 mg for a 5 doses. Should be pred free by the end of February.
I am a holistic veterinarian so I appreciate there are other options to help the body. I am grateful to have had the immediate relief created by the pred, but appreciate the toxic effects of nearly every pharmaceutical. From a Functional Medicine viewpoint, the overreaction of the immune system can also be addressed by helping our cells return to normal, which they can do with some outside help. The pred put my T cells in much needed “time out” but now it is time to gently wake them.
Here is what I am doing….1. Taking 2 capsules twice a day of a Chinese herbal formula called Bing De Ling. You can read about it at http://www.anfala.com. Dr, Hua responded to my questions about it, and says it can be taken in conjunction with pred. Not sure how long I will continue at this dose, but will definitely continue taking this herbal formula for at least a year. 2. Acupuncture weekly. My pulses were very weak, and now have greatly improved and so is my perceived strength and stamina. 3. I have also received 4 IV infusions of an enhanced Myers Cocktail to help my cells nutritionally. Each IV bag dripped in 25 gr of Vitamin C, meg doses of B vitamins, amino acids, and glutathione. After the 1st treatment, I didn’t pee out any of the B vitamins, and even after the 2nd dose, my serum folate level was below normal although the B12 level was very high. I will continue the infusions throughout the pred dosage plan, and a little bit past that. Not inexpensive but neither is your health. Probably not covered by any insurance either. Google Myers Cocktail. Lots of places offering them these days. If tiny Fairbanks Alaska has them available, then good chance there is a place near you. I have also used them in my animal patients, btw. 4. Lots of oral supplements including collagen and adrenal support. 5. Diet is a biggie. Thankfully, I am not a sugar craver and can take or leave most carbohydrates. But, I crave salt and always have, thus focusing on adrenal support. I have always considered my diet healthy, but now it is more important than ever.
I highly recommend a book “the Wahl’s Protocol by Terry Wahl M.D. that she wrote after becoming very debilitated with MS. Not everything she recommends do I agree with, but you will find the words beginning on page 54 to really resonate for any autoimmune disease.
Glad to continue this dialogue if you have more questions. I have hope that my protocol will be successful for me and believe this approach might work for others.