I dont want to take steroids so wondered has anyone found alternative treatments or diet changes that have helped..if so what were they... thank you
Polymyalgia Rheumatica -are there any alternative treatments?
Question posted by pollymeme on 21 April 2015
Last updated on 6 September 2015
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Answers
pdemontigny1
23 April 2015
Hi
My name is Pam, I am 63 and probably have PMR. I have been getting increasingly stiff especially hips (after getting out of a car, in and out of tub). Since Dec. I have pain and restricted mov't in upper arms - achy feeling sometimes spreads to shoulders and across back. It's difficult to comb my hair especially in AM. I have woken up every hour or 2 at night for 63 days - probably when I move in my sleep the pain wakes me up - I use a heated magic bag or a spray on my arms that dulls the pain.
I do not want to take prednisone and because my tests are normal my Dr. is OK with that. I have gone on a 2 week green drinks only cleanse, I use a lot of oil - Udos 3 6 9, Vita D, fish oil
i make an anti inflammatory drink from turmeric (and ginger, honey coconut oil and flax milk)
I go for a walk every day and I like to dance. i find I have little strength in my arms and it hurts to use them (eg cutting carrots, pulling up the blankets, ) but I do what I can. washing dishes is OK I think the heat helps
i have a hot shower or epsom salt bath morning and night.
I still have pain and stiffness. i have recently had 2 nights where I have slept for 3 or 4 hours before waking. I think I am improving a bit - my arms arent quite as painful or stiff. I hope this helps.
Oh I have also had several acupunture treatments and I go for monthly massage
Lindybee
1 July 2015
Hi, my name is Linda. I am 63 & have PMR since Feb 2015. I am finding that the pain travels, started in my right shoulder and neck, now in my lower back, left shoulder, hips, and now my hands. I have to get my morning meds out the night before because I can no longer open the bottles. I don't sleep well either, this is all very hard for me... I have always been busy doing things. There are a lot of things that I can't do. I found a site for Natural Remedy for PMR, in additional to prednisone I am trying this. Do the massages work for you?
pollymeme
1 July 2015
thank you Linda... Im 67 and get most of my problems over night and in morning... I'll definitely try some of your remedies as they cant do any harm... surprising lack of answers to my question so maybe theres not much out there to help x
OhioJean
5 Sep 2015
I drink tart cherry juice at night one hour before bed. I noticed an improvement in about 10 days. Also, I use guided imagery by Bellaruth Naparstek at Healthjourneys.com. I use the meditation for rheumatic arthritis because it is similar to PMR. She also has a meditation for pain which I find very helpful.
Lindybee
6 Sep 2015
Pam, I have had PMR since January. I am currently doing much better, not sure what it is due to. My Doctor has started me on another drug called Plaquenil (generic is Hydroxychloroquine) it takes about month or two to get into your system; but it does help.I have also been on heavy pain meds, I felt so much better that I am weaning myself off the pain meds & doing very good. I have also started using YL essential oils for pain. Like Lavender, Panaway, Peppermint, Wintergreen & Copaiba. You can layer the oils if needed. For me they work really well. Hopefully this may help. Best of luck. Linda
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