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Before I was diagnosed with PMR and began taking prednisone, I tried a number of things including massage and acupuncture. Massage was good for about 10 minutes of relief. I had 3 acupuncture sessions. The first two gave some relief for a few hours but not what I needed. The 3rd treatment left me in worse shape than when I started. Thankfully I was finally diagnosed with PMR shortly after the 3rd treatment and began taking prednisone. Sure, there are/can be side effects from prednisone but it gave me back my life. No, I'm not at the level I once was but I have a decent quality of life and few limitations. Prior to prednisone I was almost limited to staying home and no longer working at all. You have to get the underlying inflammation under control and I don't see how massage or acupuncture can accomplish it. Obviously I am a big fan of prednisone. It's easy for those who haven't dealt with PMR to suggest all sorts of alternatives. My well meaning wife, friends and relatives all did the same, but they couldn't truly understand what a person with PMR was dealing with.
Replies to "Before I was diagnosed with PMR and began taking prednisone, I tried a number of things..."
I agree that massage and/or acupuncture are not the solution(s). I use prednisone and it is enormously helpful (but also appreciate tapering down - the high dose had too many side effects). And I do think, if you can afford it, massage and acupuncture are good compliments to the medicine treatment.
I am in agreement, before being diagnosed I had all my well meaning fam and friends suggesting a melting pot of everything under the sun to fix me. Yoga/stretches,( I tired and could no longer hold a down dog pose), chiropractors, I tried 2, massage and cupping, left me in more pain than before I tired. Acupuncture, needles hurt me and left me in the same shape, reiki, why not?! everyone was amazed by my range of motion which had always been good, but I was in an unbelievable amount of pain. I also tried aleve, CBD’s /CBD creams aspercream,bio freeze, and gummy’s to sleep did not help at all. Prednisone was my only relief!! the minute I took it I was ‘normal’ again. I was 57 healthy and active when this began and it was coming out of the pandemic when you couldn’t get into a doctor. I went undiagnosed for 7 months of hell trying to get into a real doc to help me. I have a wonderful rheumatologist now. I recently tried kevzara and am not tolerating it I am having bad injection site irritation so will be stopping after 5 attempts. It has allowed me to taper to 4 mg and counting down on pred. I felt like me again last week for the first time in a long time. Despite various rashes and skin issues. It was a great week! I am hopeful I can continue to taper down the pred and get to remission. It was my 2nd anniversary with PMR this Jan. I pray it is my last.
Yes, I was the same. Tried everything including non-THC cabinoid patches. They helped me sleep for two nights then no effect. Prednisone gave me back my life. I could barely move. However, I put on weight and so then made sure my diet and exercise continued to enable me to get off after 12 months. It’s been 3 months since I finished and I have residual pain but manageable. The pain in my hips has gone - after two months - and my arms and shoulders are better but that is the worst spot. In the morning and after sitting and it’s so easy to overdo things and be very fatigued the next day. Finding a balance and be optimistic that it is going in the right direction helps me stay positive about it. I’m lucky I know after reading some people are on prednisone for years but I had no other underlying health issues so I think that helped. I’m 73.
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Thank you for your input and experience, Raven. I've been reaching for something besides prednisone since it triples my blood sugar. As a Type 1 diabetic that can cause all types of complications, even on a low dose.
Really appreciate your response.