Any luck using Tylenol and ibuprofen for joint pain?

Before I knew that I had PMR, I tried using Extra Strength Arthritis Tylenol for my pain and difficulty sleeping. It helped just a little, and I eventually developed GCA and came close to losing at least some of my vision. Based on my experience and from what I've read, over the counter medications are not effective at controlling the inflammation of PMR. The PMR can get worse, and in some cases such as mine, allow GCA to develop.

Ibuprofen is an NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) which should not be taken with prednisone because of the high risk of gastric harm. I tried stronger slow release Panadol (Tylenol) occasionally way back, but it only took the edge off the pain and doesn't reduce PMR inflammation or change the over-active immune response of PMR.

Are you taking prednisone, and at what dose?

I am prednisone free since June 2024. I alternate between extra strength Tylenol, ibuprofen, or naproxen. (Aleve). Ibuprofen and Aleve will help with both pain and inflammation control. Tylenol will simply address the pain. I find that I have a good response with the 12 hour Aleve capsule. I have also been trying to cut back on the use of the over-the-counter painkillers. The amount of pain I experience changes daily. Also barometric pressure changes seem to affect my pain levels.

I am prednisone free since January 2025. Ibuprofen was my miracle drug before PMR. After PMR and before diagnosis it did very little, even in high doses. During prednisone I took no NSAIDs, but I didn’t need them because the prednisone was so effective. After prednisone I was pain free for several months until the old hip pain where my PMR started crept back in. I have found since that 200 mg of ibuprofin before I go to sleep and again 12 hours later does wonders. Go figure. 🤷🏼‍♀️

Thank you for your response. Because of the bad side effects I have gotten from all of my PMR medication‘s right now I am off everything! I still have dizziness from taking methotrexate!!! I have seen several doctors and hopefully eventually this methotrexate will wash out of my system I’m hoping. Yesterday my rheumatologist was already to give me another PMR medication which honestly I’m afraid to take because nothing has worked for me except made me sicker. As usual I am still taking one day at a time hoping for the best!

Thank you very much for your response!!! I am limited to the over-the-counter medication‘s that I can take to basically Tylenol because I am on a blood thinner and the ibuprofen is pretty difficult to control when you’re on a blood thinner. I know I must be careful with the amount of Tylenol that I take to stay way under the limit. Thank you again for your help! my best wishes to you!

Hi I’m not sure if you got my last comment. Right now I am not on any medication‘s for PMR. I am hoping that the methotrexate that I took will wash out of my body as soon as possible because it’s making me dizzy. I visited with my rheumatologist yesterday she was all set to give me another medication for PMR even though I’m still dizzy from the methotrexate which has not washed out of my system yet to take a while. I learned that I am very very sensitive to any medication for PMR it’s not anybody’s fault it’s just the way my body is so I have to take the medication that’s the least toxic for me which at this point maybe Tylenol. Thank you very much for your response!!!

My old post….
Tylenol for Arthritis was recommended by my Rehumatologist. Works really well, and helps with weather chges. The arthritis symptoms are similar to the PMR ones.

For what it’s worth, I was taking 6 extra strength Tylenol Arthritis plus ibuprofen or Aleve prior to being started on Prednisone. It did help, but nothing like the miracle prednisone did. However, the side effects of prednisone after 6 weeks were awful so I quit taking it last week. Rheumy wanted to do infusions, but I’m wary of those suggestions. So, I was given Meloxicam which I haven’t started yet, plus, if it gets really bad, I still have prednisone left. I found that if I meditate ( about 4 times daily) I can manage the pain. Probably too early to tell. Good luck ! I think our bodies are amazing & can heal with the right attention. Healing energies to you.

I’m am at 11 mg prednisone at the moment . Started @20 in December and attempted to speed up the process when had no pain dropping by 2mg’s every 10 days (no real guidance other than guessing, that is until found this site) and actually reached 2mg. Worst thing I did. Original site of pain (hips and shoulders) completely fine but hands and knees hurt as bad as original. Anyway back up and now at 11 soon to be 10. I was a strong proponent for Aleve and it did help but I have been using Advil once a day when hands are too much to ignore. Advil does seem to help. But I only take one or two at most a day and try to skip a few days to see if prednisone doing the work. Some days prednisone is all I need