Anti-inflammatory diet and supplements for PMR

@docmeehan, I didn't really try an anti-inflammatory diet or supplements my first time around with PMR and I started on 20 mg prednisone and took 3-1/2 years to taper off. Six years later the PMR came back and I was determined that I didn't want to deal with it for another 3 years so I started looking at diet and lifestyle changes I could make to help. I do think that was the primary reason why I was able to taper off of prednisone in 1 and half years the second time around with PMR. It's been a little over six years since my PMR went into remission so I'm hoping I'm able to keep it gone. There are other similar discussions you might want to scan through while you wait for other members to share their experience.

-- Diet & PMR: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/diet-pmr/
-- Curcumin (turmeric) for reducing inflammation: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/curcumin-turmeric-for-reducing-inflammation/
-- PMR and herbs, dietary supplements: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/pmr-and-herbs-dietary-supplements/

Also, if you aren't already keeping a daily log with your level of pain when you get up in the morning along with the daily dose of prednisone, I would recommend starting a journal. It really helps when you are tapering down to not taper too fast. I delayed my taper a week or so if it was time and my pain was above a 2 on a 0 to 10 when I woke up.

I'm on my first go round with PMR, started November of 2023. I started at 20 mg of pred, now down to 2 mg. I didn't pay that much attention to my diet until about 3 months ago when I noticed certian foods would trigger pain in my shoulders and glutes. I do what I can to avoid sugar and nightshade veggies and it really does make a difference.
Good Luck!

Suggest vitamin D3, Turmeric and dark chocolate. I think the Mediterranean diet with meat and gluten avoidance has helped as well.

I went on a very strict anti-inflammatory diet for my severe PMR in the early stages, and took a large number of supplements hoping that something would help. I had to back off on the supplements because I think they were actually making things worse, only kept taking the Vit C. Also found it very difficult to keep up the strict anti-inflammatory diet because it messed with my blood sugars and especially iron levels. Was able to reduce Prednisone more successfully when I went to a more balanced diet that was gluten free (strict GF as per celiac guidelines). It's a massive learning curve trying to figure out what is going to work for you. Good luck on the journey

This is my first bout with PMR, started this past summer on 15 mg prednisone , so I can only share my positive experience. I immediately went on a strict anti inflammatory diet, no alcohol, no dessert or added sugar, no processed foods. It was a bit difficult but I have never been hungry, I eat 5 times per day. I do at least some exercise every day, even just walking. I’ve lost approximately 25 pounds without really trying. I think because of this, so far I’ve minimized most of the poor possible side effects from prednisone and have had success in tapering my dose 1 mg every 2 weeks with rheumatologist advice. I haven’t gotten moon face so far, blood pressure is lower than before pmr, cholesterol and other lipid profile better than before pmr. Main stubborn side effect has been high A1c. In summary I think it’s helped tremendously and believe even if it doesn’t directly reduce your symptoms, it helps your overall health immensely. Anyway best of luck on the journey.

D3 for sure. Turmeric and dark chocolate (any cocoa products) are very high oxalate which isn't good for some of us. High oxalate consumption can cause joint and muscle aches, even without PMR.

Well my story is that when I got PMR a year and 4 months ago, I had been a vegetarian for well over 30 years, the few times a year I ate meat or seafood it had had a decent small farm life or was locally caught (like venison or shrimp) and I took about 15 supplements a day (like my mom who is about to be 88 and is not on a single Rx), and I made everything from scratch from salad dressings to cookies to tomato sauce. After my diagnosis I started walking my dogs 5 miles a day, and I have tapered from 20mg of prednisone VERY slowly, and am on 3/4 of a mg at present, and in about a week will go to 1/2 a mg. Once I got down to 5mg is when I started the decrease in small increments; I slice those tiny pills into tiny pieces and do my best to figure out what I am taking. So, do diet and supplements play a roll? I really don't know as everyone's PMR journey is unique with generalites thrown in. If diet is so important then why did my body attack itself when my diet was extremely healthy in the first place? I'm not looking for an answer to that question of course, just saying.

Very sound advice. I also eat similarly and was able to taper off of 10 mg Prednisone in about a year. I had a very mild case to begin with, probably because of my primarily plant-based, whole foods, anti-inflammatory, organic diet. I eat as much as I want and my weight is easily maintained--Fiber is the key! The ultra-processed diet of America is killing us. Wherever ultra-processed foods are introduced (and fast food) in the world, chronic diseases soon follow.

I know what you are saying about your very healthy diet! And you got PMR anyway. I had a friend who ate a very healthy diet with supplements and passed away from cancer! And what about all those people who never smoked , ate healthy and passed away from lung cancer? It is a mystery to me….

I also eat very healthy and I think I caught one cold in about 30 years, so I felt that I had a very strong immune system. Unfortunately, I contracted PMR after my second Pfyzer vaccination and I know one other person who was also very healthy who contracted an auto-immune disease after her vaccination. Coincidence? I don't think so. Why? Not sure.