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Why does alcohol relieve my symptoms the next day?
I'm down to 5mg of Prednisone coming down from 15mg over the last 6 months. I have noticed the PMR symptoms gradually coming back commensurate with each Prednisone reduction, but so far it has been tolerable -- some stiffness in the hands and pain in the left shoulder in the mornings --but these all seem to resolve by noon.
But I have observed something interesting...
I have a celebratory martini each Friday after work at home followed by a glass of red wine at Friday dinner out with my wife. I know, I know, alcohol is bad. But here's the thing.....
I have NO stiffness in my hands or shoulders the next day!
This is not a one-time observation, it is a reliably repeatable pattern. Every Saturday morning after a few drinks Friday night, I wake up to NO hand/wrist/shoulder stiffness/pain.
This is totally counter-intuitive to me. Alcohol is supposed to be inflammatory, but a few drinks eliminate my PMR symptoms the next day.
Why?
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@epidoc thx for this
I do believe the trauma to the body is a factor.
You have family history and my mother had RA…..
As we know, there is so little known abt PMR, and in many cases we know more than drs because we live with it in this group.
Here’s to your journey and may it be a “good one”, so to speak.
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1 ReactionMine started after a shoulder injury I sustained while working in the garden. Took three months to diagnose. Started at 15 mg of Prednisone in August and am now at 10 mg....came down with shingles a week ago. Prior to all of this nonsense I was a very healthy and active person.
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1 ReactionGood Morning! The disease we are living with is such a mystery. I too have the same result when I drink alcohol. I am a wine drinker and stopped for a short time after being diagnosed with PMR and GCA. My rheumatologist asked me what helped to relieve the pain and stiffness in my body. I told her drinking wine seemed to help. Her response was a surprise, but she said to do what works for me. Drinking wine has a much better side affect than taking prednisone.
I haven’t had a glass of wine in 2 weeks. Really trying to feel better after issues with BP and reading articles that scare one into not drinking. Might just have to rethink that. I miss my wine. 🥹