1. < Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR)

Can PMR be induced by Exercise

Posted by mcarso @mcarso, Oct 7, 2023

Just a theory; I been treated for PMR since April 2023. It began after I stated new exercises for my legs (which I haven’t done for years) mostly the consisted of sumo squats among other exercises. Right after I stated this routine I stated to develop pain in my leg which I just thought was muscle pain, mostly my adductor tendons between the legs were the major problem. This soon spread throughout my legs back shoulders, arms; yo know the symptoms. I was finally diagnosed with PMR in May by my rumo Doctor; placed on 15mg of prednisone and currently done to 7mg. I started my normal weight lifting routine around 4 months ago starting with lifts weights working up to my normal weight. Around a 2 weeks ago I started doing the leg routine again just doing the sumo squats very light weight (10 pounds) working up to 30 pounds. I stopped doing these due to my adductor tendons acting up again.
Could this be the reason why I got the PMR in the first place? Seem very coincidental. Now I run on the elliptical and walk hills all prior to doing these latest sumo squats.
Just throwing this there. I’m 70 years old never had RA or arthritis of any kind all X-rays on joints are normal. My only current pain is very mild in my fingers on both hands in the morning. Weird

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redboat | @redboat | Oct 15, 2023
In reply to @megz "Very interesting, thank you. Hydrolysed collagen powder contains a lot of hydroxyproline which converts to oxalates..." + (show)
@megz

Very interesting, thank you. Hydrolysed collagen powder contains a lot of hydroxyproline which converts to oxalates in the body. I suspect that may be the cause of my (likely) collagen induced PMR, so now I eat a low oxalate low lectin diet.

Collagen type 2 (the type found in marine collagen) was years ago commonly injected into lab rats and fed to piglets & sows to induce and study chronic arthritis. When the collagen was stopped after 2wks, the arthritis resolved, but in pigs that consumed it for 4wks, the symptoms either did not resolve or returned after only one collagen dose.

Unfortunately I listened to the insistent claims of collagen sellers that it HELPS joint pain and continued to take it for 4 weeks. As you say, we are all different in how we react to various foods and chemicals.

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Thanks. I have been taking collagen powder in my morning coffee for several years. Was diagnosed with a very severe case of PMR and/or GCA in early 2023. I'll give the collagen a rest for awhile and see what happens.

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nancy334 | @nancy334 | Oct 16, 2023

I’ve had PMR for 3 1/2 years now …exercise certainly exacerbates muscle pain for me …I had to give up my daily yoga because of the pain …it’s hard to find the fine line between keeping active and overdoing it as …if you push through the pain you pay at night as you can’t sleep for severe pain …but one can’t stop moving …very tricky

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DadCue | @dadcue | Oct 17, 2023

Vigorous exercise is a form of stress to the body. Moderation is always a good thing to remember. Generally speaking, it seems stress of any kind can trigger PMR.

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janiceem | @janiceem | Oct 17, 2023

I exercised before PMR, during PMR, and now without any symptoms. I do yoga, pilates, swimming, and dancing and have never noticed a relationship between it and my PMR symptoms.

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1 reply
sunshine4u | @sunshine4u | Nov 6, 2023
In reply to @megz "Very interesting, thank you. Hydrolysed collagen powder contains a lot of hydroxyproline which converts to oxalates..." + (show)
@megz

Very interesting, thank you. Hydrolysed collagen powder contains a lot of hydroxyproline which converts to oxalates in the body. I suspect that may be the cause of my (likely) collagen induced PMR, so now I eat a low oxalate low lectin diet.

Collagen type 2 (the type found in marine collagen) was years ago commonly injected into lab rats and fed to piglets & sows to induce and study chronic arthritis. When the collagen was stopped after 2wks, the arthritis resolved, but in pigs that consumed it for 4wks, the symptoms either did not resolve or returned after only one collagen dose.

Unfortunately I listened to the insistent claims of collagen sellers that it HELPS joint pain and continued to take it for 4 weeks. As you say, we are all different in how we react to various foods and chemicals.

Jump to this post

Wow, very interesting that collagen could make PMR symptoms worse. I have been taking collagen for almost 3 years and just diagnosed with PMR in June 2023. I started on 20 mg and now down to 12.5. My rheumatologist wants me to take this dose one month and then decrease to 10 for another month. Once I hit 10, decrease by 1 mg per month. According to her, there is no knowledge of what causes PMR. In doing some research, I did find it is most common in women in their late 60s to early 70s of Scandanavian decent.

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2 replies
sunshine4u | @sunshine4u | Nov 6, 2023
In reply to @janiceem "I exercised before PMR, during PMR, and now without any symptoms. I do yoga, pilates, swimming,..." + (show)
@janiceem

I exercised before PMR, during PMR, and now without any symptoms. I do yoga, pilates, swimming, and dancing and have never noticed a relationship between it and my PMR symptoms.

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I do find weightlifting makes my symptoms much worse. Swimming, yoga, dancing and walking seem to help. Like others have said, moderation is the key which is very difficult for many of us who have been very active our entire life.

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megz | @megz | Nov 6, 2023
In reply to @sunshine4u "Wow, very interesting that collagen could make PMR symptoms worse. I have been taking collagen for..." + (show)
@sunshine4u

Wow, very interesting that collagen could make PMR symptoms worse. I have been taking collagen for almost 3 years and just diagnosed with PMR in June 2023. I started on 20 mg and now down to 12.5. My rheumatologist wants me to take this dose one month and then decrease to 10 for another month. Once I hit 10, decrease by 1 mg per month. According to her, there is no knowledge of what causes PMR. In doing some research, I did find it is most common in women in their late 60s to early 70s of Scandanavian decent.

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I see that particular collagen powder doesn't contain Type 11 collagen, the one most implicated in collagen induced arthritis. For me, I wouldn't risk it anyway, as labelling and health claims for collagen supplements are unregulated and don't have to be accurate or backed scientifically. Collagen sellers can and do make wild claims of benefits and never mention possible harms. Hydrolysed collagen can prompt a big immune response in some people but others don't seem to be affected.

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bradninchgirl | @bradninchgirl | Nov 7, 2023
In reply to @sunshine4u "Wow, very interesting that collagen could make PMR symptoms worse. I have been taking collagen for..." + (show)
@sunshine4u

Wow, very interesting that collagen could make PMR symptoms worse. I have been taking collagen for almost 3 years and just diagnosed with PMR in June 2023. I started on 20 mg and now down to 12.5. My rheumatologist wants me to take this dose one month and then decrease to 10 for another month. Once I hit 10, decrease by 1 mg per month. According to her, there is no knowledge of what causes PMR. In doing some research, I did find it is most common in women in their late 60s to early 70s of Scandanavian decent.

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The Scandinavian link was believed for a long time, mostly because people in countries further south didn't develop PMR, but as those countries consumed a more western diet they also had increased incidences of PMR. It is more likely that the additives in our diet, color enhancers, flavor enhancers, heat treated oils and preservatives in our food are responsible for tipping our immune systems on their heads. And of course the incidents of insecticides on the produce you buy in your supermarket doesn't help either. This is why it's very important to watch your diet when in a PMR flareup.

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2 replies
art43 | @art43 | Nov 7, 2023

I definitely believe my PMR was triggered by starting a very limited low-key exercise program after a long period of no formal program. Fifteen mins rxercise - day off - exercise - day off - exercise. The next day, I could not get out of bed, get dressed…anything. It took 30 mg’s to get to remission.

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ste44 | @ste44 | Nov 8, 2023
In reply to @bradninchgirl "The Scandinavian link was believed for a long time, mostly because people in countries further south..." + (show)
@bradninchgirl

The Scandinavian link was believed for a long time, mostly because people in countries further south didn't develop PMR, but as those countries consumed a more western diet they also had increased incidences of PMR. It is more likely that the additives in our diet, color enhancers, flavor enhancers, heat treated oils and preservatives in our food are responsible for tipping our immune systems on their heads. And of course the incidents of insecticides on the produce you buy in your supermarket doesn't help either. This is why it's very important to watch your diet when in a PMR flareup.

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Because of an early cancer scare, I/we have eaten a Mediterranean, organic diet for years. I still got PMR.

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