Has anyone tried or knows anything of someone who has tried DMSO ?

What is DMSO?

@randersonccc, Here's some more information I found on DMSO that might help -
-- DMSO (Dimethyl Sulfoxide): Uses, Benefits, Risks, and More:
https://www.healthline.com/health/what-is-dmso
You might also find it helpful to scan through other pain related discussions that mention DMSO. Here's a search of Connect that shows the different discussions - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/search/discussions/.

I used DMSO topically once a day on the shoulders for PMR pain for about 4 months earlier this year while tapering prednisone. Also used small doses orally. First attack. No other meds for PMR. Started at 50% strength diluted with water, then full strength. Did not help at all as far as I can tell, but no side effects other than “garlic breath.” Prednisone alone relieved all neck and hip pain, there was minimal shoulder pain even with the higher dose prednisone that was not helped by DMSO. Upon finishing the 18 month prednisone taper I promptly developed GCA so am back on high dose prednisone, which promptly relieved all PMR pain, including the nagging shoulder pain, and GCA symptoms. My conclusion is that DMSO did not relieve any local or systemic inflammation in my case, but had no side effects.

DMSO is FDA approved and used for the treatment of interstitial cystitis. There is a doctor who publishes a lot of DMSO information on Substack, “A Midwestern Doctor” I think is his handle.

Good luck with this, best wishes for the holidays and the new year, and please keep us informed should you try DMSO.

Thank you. This is helpful. I am very cautious of adding anything as I had a reaction to a reclast infusion 3 years ago and I got Afib. So if this did not help significantly for your PMR OR GCA I will avoid for now for relief of my PMR pain. Maybe it has some topical use fir some other conditions.

Be aware that DMSO moves readily through the skin barrier and will dissolve and carry other chemicals with it that do not normally move through the skin barrier, like sunscreen and insect repellant. It was popular as a liniment for horses legs as it irritates the bursa around joints, causing fluid secretion that lubricates the joint and thereby reduces pain. I had to wear DMSO resistant gloves to protect myself (note: nitrile and thin rubber gloves are NOT DMSO resistant).

My best friend had PMR. She initially took DMSO , though the taste is hard to bare, so after maybe 2 or three months of one daily dose (a tablespoon of DMSO in juice) she started to use it topically, diluting with distilled water so the DMSO was around 70%, She was given steroids by her doctor, which she was happy to stop taking, plus her other medication. DMSO gave her her comfort, mobility and life back. This was several years ago. She had maybe 10 good years before being diagnosed with ovarian and peritoneum cancer and sadly died 6 years ago.
My own experience of DMSO was not with PMR but osteoarthritis, spondylosis and fibromyalgia. I started taking one tablespoon of DMSO in juice and after a few days, realised I had no joint pain. I then used it topically and 10years on, still use it topically, maybe once every 2 weeks. My pain levels are virtually non existent. I no longer get migraines, stiff neck of joint issues.

My father in law was a doc who had cervical cord injury and a lot of associated peripheral pain. He used it topically and it seemed to help his pain complex.