PMR Diet: Foods to eat and avoid

I was diagnosed 3 weeks ago but had to wait to take prednisone until after surgery for torn bicep. So I have only been on prednisone for 3 days. The wheels are falling off the bus of this aging body but I am developing a positive attitude, especially reading all the PMR stories. Thanks for the alcohol info. I plan to continue abstinence.

I’m just diagnosed with PMR and on day 5 of prednisone. I’ve started the Paddison Program (also 5 days) and am wondering if you were on prednisone during that 40 day period? I don’t want to stay on prednisone and reluctantly started due to agonizing PMR symptoms. Thanks for sharing.

Hello @jillrp, Welcome to Connect. @ghsmith only posted once and has not been back on Connect and has not responded to others which gives me a little cause to reflect on the "cured" severe PMR statement.

While I do think diet and lifestyle play a major part in our health I think we still have to be a little careful and do our own research finding reputable information and data. I was not able to find anything other than a rebuttle of sorts and a lot of ad type sites for the Paddison Program. Eating healthier and limiting sugar, alcohol and red meat has helped keep my PMR in remission.

— The Paddison Program for rheumatoid arthritis: An unproven treatment that provides only the illusion of control: https://sciencebasedmedicine.org/the-paddison-program-for-rheumatoid-arthritis-the-unproven-illusion-of-control/
— The Paddison Program For Rheumatoid Arthritis: https://www.paddisonprogram.com/.

The Versus Arthritis site has a lot of good information on the topic and it's free vs a paid program like the Paddison Program.
--- https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/managing-symptoms/diet/

Here's another good reference on the topic that goes through inflammatory conditions and nutrition:
--- Dietary Implications of the Bidirectional Relationship between the Gut Microflora and Inflammatory Diseases with Special Emphasis on Irritable Bowel Disease: Current and Future Perspective: https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/15/13/2956

I've had PMR twice. Both times I was started at 20mg prednisone. The first time it took me 3 and half years to taper off. The second time it took me 1 and half years to taper off and I've been in remission for a little over 5 years now. I do give credit for the shorter time with PMR the second time around to changing my lifestyle through diet and more moderate exercise.

No one likes the prednisone, myself included. Hoping you can let us know how the Paddison Program works for you with controlling the PMR pain and inflammation symptoms. One of the things my rheumatologist had me do was keep a daily log with the prednisone dose for the day and my pain level when I got up each morning. Do you keep a daily log?

I've posted to this thread before, but I happen to be a registered dietitian who eats a whole foods organic Pegan diet (Paleo + vegan). I had a very mild case of PMR following my second COVID vaccination and because I had no inflammatory markers, it took over 4 months to diagnose. I hurt in my arms and thighs while in bed. As soon as I would get up, my pain went away! I started with 10 mg. of Prednisone and it took over a year to wean off of it. Then I came down with COVID and it triggered my PMR again, so I went back on 2 mg. and tapered off in about 6 months. Now I'm hoping it doesn't come back, but who knows.

Glad for your success!
I am in a big dilemma with diet. I have all along been having no fat yogurt and a slice of low fat, low sodium cheese for lunch. Lately a half sandwich with the cheese, oatnut bread, lettuce and herbs. Yogurt and the cheese are for my calcium intake. I have oatmilk at breakfast. So is this dairy inflammatory or anti-inflammatory? I have eliminated almonds and almond milk because of a probable kidney stone episode earlier this year. Eating walnuts instead. I have borderline osteoporosis, my dad had kidney stones three times so I need calcium from diet. I take vitamin D3 at breakfast and dinner.
And what's with tomatoes? Anti-inflammatory? Nightshades? It seems a toss up. I'm eating cherry tomatoes because we're growing them.
suzanne

I do consider dairy to be pro-inflammatory, but I do eat a little Grass-fed organic, unsweetened yogurt a few times a week because of the probiotics. I use unsweetened soy milk instead of cow's milk. I rarely eat anything processed, including bread. I had kidney stones years ago, but as long as I eat the way I do and drink more water, it hasn't recurred in many years. Walnuts are high in omega-3's, which we all need more of. I don't take D3 because I get plenty of sunshine and my D level has been fine. My bones are stronger than most women my age, but I also get plenty of weight bearing exercise. I'm not worried about tomatoes. Find more information at http://www.nutritionfacts.org

I was diagnosed with PMR and started on Prednisolone 12 weeks ago. I now avoid high oxalate and high lectin foods (spinach, corn, all night shades, seeds, nuts, all wholegrains, sweet potato, turmeric and other spices, etc) and believe my PMR was likely brought on by high consumption of "superfoods" while I was on a weight loss diet. Most so-called superfoods contain high oxalates, known to cause kidney problems and joint pain in some people.

Specifically, I strongly suspect the hydrolysed marine collagen supplement I bought as a treat may have triggered the PMR. It contains type2 collagen (used to induce chronic arthritis in lab rats and pigs in kidney and arthritis experiments) and it's full of hydroxyprolines that convert to oxalates in the body. My PMR suddenly started after 5 days on the marine collagen, but I didn't suspect it at first and kept taking it because all the sellers insisted it was wonderful for joints.

I've managed to avoid weight gain and have even lost 11 pound in the last 12 weeks by continuing my low carbohydrate diet and avoiding snacks. Whenever the Prednisolone raises my blood sugars which sends hunger signals, I check how long it was since my last nutritious meal and instead of eating, I have a glass of water and do some gardening for 10 minutes. That fixes it every time and the garden is looking better, win/win.

I've also avoided fluid retention by drinking plenty of extra water and keeping moving, gently but frequently, during the day.

Diet dilemma. Eat this, don't eat that. I have avoided supplements other than vitamin D3 and Areds 2 for AMD which is another dilemma. My ophthamologist suggested eye vitamins, the retina specialist thinks they would not really help my situation. My opinion is that 2 of those capsules is such a mega mega dose it could be harmful. I'm afraid to take it, afraid not to take it so I take just one capsule every day.
I assumed I was predisposed to pmr. Life happens. I was down to 1 mg prednisone, thought pmr was gone, my hands swelled, now have synovitis, some sort of inflammatory arthritis. Is it something I was eating?? Or me being me?? Is what seems to be a healthy diet not really healthy?? I was thinking moderation was a good path but which path to follow. When you have multiple medical problems there are too many forks in the road. Eat leafy greens, don't eat leafy greens, eat potatoes, tomatoes, don't eat them. What triggers autoimmune response besides diet?
Eat avocados. I bought one only to read I could be allergic to avocado because I have a latex allergy. So I didn't want to chance it.
For now I'm avoiding processed foods, fast foods, red meat, sugary foods, fatty foods and salt. Most everything else in moderation, eating fresh fruits and vegetabkes.
suzanne

I had a food sensitivity test done and found that I was sensitive to a lot of “healthy foods”. So I cut those out and my found my pain and inflammation lessened. Like you I eat mostly meat(very little red meat) fruits and vegetables. I suspect I have gastroparesis and have trouble with high fiber foods. Raw vegetables don’t seem to bother me. Each individual is different.

cpd54, thanks for your comment. I am curious about the food sensitivity testing and the foods you avoid.
I, for a long time, have been sensitive to band aids and certain tapes. Was never sure if it was the 'band aid' or the adhesive. I bought a couple pair of leggings only to find at the end of the day I had two red stripes down the sides of my legs from the seams. There was spandex content but I didn't think spandex had latex in it. So the avocado cross reactivity with latex could maybe affect me. I wore a zio patch for a few days and got blisters.
Food sensitivities for sure can be a problem.
suzanne