Polymyalgia Rheumatica treatment

[Zeuhl]

Has anyone any experience of treatment for this condition?

A neighbour is prescribed steroids which is of course the current, favourite treatment.

She takes 10 mg a day or sometimes 20 mg.

She is concerned over side-effects particularly weight gain and is wondering if there are any alternatives that her GP isn't telling her about.

Any thoughts?

[masma]

Thank you for your question, I've been wondering much the same. I've been diagnosed with PMR and have been prescribed steriods - 25 mg to start now down to 12.5. I really don't feel much different to when the treatment started except... I'm suffering with the weight gain and oral thrush! Just been for a scan (bone density). I'd love to know if I can do/take anything that would help.

[Grumpygrandad]

I've had PMR for about three years now, and am currently taking 10mg of prednisolone. At one point last year I had reduced the dose down to 2mg, but had a flare up of the condition.
I've fortunately not really had any side-effects, I've managed to control my weight with exercise and being careful what I eat.
It is very important to take Alendronic acid and the Adcal Calcium tablets.

[yogasun]

Hi everyone, particularly Zeuhl.

Feel I'm a bit of an expert on this (non medically) as OH has now suffered for 9 years with this. Haven't got much time to write much now as going out most of day but he has been on prednisolone all that time and every time he tries to reduce below say 7 mg (often considered the maintenance dose approx) his condition flares up. I have written to the country's top man on this but there really isn't an alternative plus taking calcium tabs and alendronic acid. It can disappear suddenly as lots of people's have, some are unlucky. It came on reasonably suddenly for unknown reasons (the top researchers don't know - just that it's an auto immune disorder).

Regarding side effects he has thin skin and struggles to lose weight but so far has been OK.

He gets depressed on some days (steroidal effect) but we lead a 'healthy' active life and he walks and swims. He is a non smoking tee totaller.
There are several people we know with it.
He belongs to a support group with newsletters.

He lives in the hope he can one day taper off to get rid of the steroids. Believe me I've looked into most things. If anyone else has a miracle cure, please share it!!

[Zeuhl]

Thank you all for your posts.

I will pass them on to our neighbour.

She is a 73 year old lady who is experiencing weight gain and frequent urinary infections. Mrs Zeuhl hasn't dared ask her about bone density yet!

She is particularly concerned that her GP was withholding any alternative treatments for some reason.

I will post her responses to these comments.

Any other thoughts from you guys will be gratefully received.

thanks again.