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Moderate Use of Alcohol
I am newly diagnosed with PMR. I have always maintained a healthy lifestyle, eating healthy meals and exercising. I also have a cocktail in the evening with dinner. In reading about PMR I have seen articles that indicate you should not drink while taking prednisone. I’m wondering what other people in the group have found. I consider myself a very moderate person and it seems to ease some of the pain and anxiety that has come with the diagnosis. Thank you in advance for your help.
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@lasvegasjh
Oh, so glad to hear that. I was just responding to another that I was having a hard time giving up my one glass of wine with dinner.
Just living with PMR, newly diagnosed and only having my PCP to work with. Who knows if I will get excepted as a patient of a Rheumatologist. So few in my area and they are swamped with referrals.
I am at 10mg of Prednisone and the plan is decreasing 1mg per month.
@betsyhase
I totally get it. My symptoms disappeared with the prednisone, so I don't have that excuse.
@betsyhase u
I don’t want to give up my wine. I really enjoy it. I feel a lot better after it. I am afraid of going off prednisone though, but I am giving it a go. Presently at 2 mg. Next month 1mg.
I did lose a lot of hair, and am now wearing a wig, which I like! My hair is growing back.
When I first started prednisone a year ago, it was at 50 mg a day!! I felt better within 2 hrs and felt like it was a miracle drug. I felt really good until around 20 mg a day.
I am hoping for the best and just try to keep moving.
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2 Reactions@lasvegasjh
It is interesting how different the treatment is. I read hear about different medications to treat PMR but many MD's just use Prednisone. It seems that there are other choices that might not be so hard on our bodies. I don't feel great on 10mg Prednisone but certainly better than none. I am so new to this that I am not sure if I want more drugs to make life more bearable.
I guess it is a balancing act of enough medication, but not too much.
At 66 yo, I have been on 10 mg pred daily since Oct.9, 2025 for my PMR. All symptoms resolved until GCA symptoms began Jan.14, 2026 and definitive diagnosis on Feb.9, 2026. My pred was increased to 40 mg daily Feb.23. 95% of my GCA symptoms resolved except jaw claudication when chewing something firm. I have been a vegetarian of sorts since 1979. No red meat or pork, chicken monthly, fish 1-2 times weekly, little refined sugar, no processed or fast foods. I have a 5 day per week weight routine and yoga practice 3-4 night weekly. I explain all this to say that I enjoy 2+ glasses of wine most days. I have had no negative response since being on the pred except increased blood pressure and insomnia 2 nights per week. I have found that THC (liquid or smoke) does help with the insomnia. I am being transitioned to Actemra infusions, of which I have had only one. Awaiting my insurance company to hopefully approve the Tyenne/Rinvoq for me to do weekly injections soon to keep me from driving 1 hour each way for the infusions- if the OOP isn't too great.
I am honest with my docs so they know to keep an eye on my liver function. I do believe each person's response to any physician or self prescribed 'therapy' is quite variable. I sure don't want to give up my wine!
God speed to all of us dealing with these vicious Rheumatic diseases!
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