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PMR: Are there treatment alternatives to Prednisone?
Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) | Last Active: Jan 11 7:08am | Replies (175)Comment receiving replies
My wife was recently diagnosed with PMR. I started researching atternatives other than prednisone. Having researched and experience with SARMs such as MK2866, Cardarine, MK677 that have proven to be ani-inflammatory as well as other natural anti-inflammatory supplements and diets, why are Corticosteroids the "go to" treatments when research has shown safer options?
Replies to "My wife was recently diagnosed with PMR. I started researching atternatives other than prednisone. Having researched..."
Perhaps prednisone is still used because corticosteroids quickly relieved symptoms of PMR and were thought to be "relatively safe" when taken on a short term basis. I know of no other treatment that works as rapidly as prednisone does.
The belief is PMR will "burn itself out" relatively quickly in a year or two. The pain relief benefits of "short term" prednisone use outweigh the risks of side effects. Unfortunately the risk of significant side effects increases when prednisone is used "long term." The risks are directly proportional to dose and duration of treatment.
In summary, prednisone is a "quick fix" but not a good long term solution.
There weren't many alternative treatments available during the corticosteroid era for the treatment of many autoimmune disorders. Now, that has changed for some autoimmune disorders but PMR/GCA has some catching up to do.
Hi @coppertop71 - you may notice I moved your discussion and combined it with an existing discussion titled: "PMR: Are there treatment alternatives to Prednisone?" - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/alternatives-to-prednisone/
I did this so you could read the responses from other members on their experiences with the same question. Members like @wilckdds, @wv54, and @edinnola have discussed alternatives.
I’m very interested in finding more natural therapies for PMR. I am reading that Ostarine Mk2866 can cause liver damage and heart attack— what info can you link on this supplement as safe? I have had PMR for 3 years now since it was triggered by my first COVID infection at 52. I have tried SO MANY options but have been on Prednisone for 2 years as the only thing that has allowed me to function. I just bought a FIR Sauna to try to reset my immune system. Any info you can provide on the supps you mention would be appreciated! Thanks!
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Please let us know how your wife goes with those anti-inflammatory measures. As PMR is an auto-immune condition involving an over-reaction of the immune system, inflammation is only one part of it and prednisone is the only thing that reduces pain sufficiently for most people.