DIET & PMR

No answer I fear - everyone is different and different dietary approaches help each of us, or not. I have left out gluten (was eating gluten-free when I was diagnosed), not for PMR but because I had discovered something in the structure of modern wheat caused me to develop eczema, at various times I've left out nightshades, alcohol, cut carbs drastically. The only thing that makes a difference is that strict limitation of carbs helps with weight problems with pred. If I eat more than a small quantity of carbohydrate I don't lose weight and a bit more puts it back on. Before pred, a glass of wine helped the pain and stiffness a lot.

One day over Christmas I overindulged in Christmas cake and mince pies. I realised that I'd had a massive sugar hit and that night I was full of inflammation with a high temperature and lots of pain and discomfort. Since then I've been careful to avoid so much sugar in one day, and I must admit, I've not been that bad since. Nothing else makes a lot of difference, but it's worth experimenting. I agree with Eileen about the carbs. If I reduce the carbs, weight control is easier.

Joymaris, I may have gone overboard, but I have gone all organic, wild caught SMASH fish, no eggs and no chicken, no pork and Gluten Free. Eat a lot of organic turkey, fruits and vegetables. Stay positive and keep active, good luck. ☺️

Hi Joymarla, I have cut out the same as you, gone Gluten free and cut out red meat. I have learned to cook. I am sure this has helped me. Also the added benefit of weight loss and feeling better.

Hi,I have partially recovered from pmr after @ 2 yrs and can with reasonable confidence say that diet makes little or no difference.( I tried leaving out all sorts before succumbing to steroids). The only thing that may make a difference is B12 /yeast extract.

i have personally found wheat and caffeine to both be lethal, both cause really bad flare ups. ive had pmr for 4 years, im down to 2.5 mg and had two previous attempts to get to zero.

stopped all wheat for a month- felt worse! Everyone is different.

Joymaria, as Carnut has said "we are all different" my wife eats wheat or anything with gluten she gets a migraine. I went my diet for a few weeks and ended up with a bad flare, now trying to figure out how to back down to 5 mg from 20 as quick as possible. We all have to figure out what our triggers are and avoid them. Good luck on your journey, stay positive, active and smile.🙂

Getting OH to avoid anything other than sugar in his coffee and on his cereals (using a sweetener) biscuits, jam & honey (anything more is impossible but I do make 50% wholemeal bread and we now have brown rice with chilli and curries but I've not tried paella with brown rice. We did not regularly have puddings etc.and he's gone on to 85% cocoa solids choccie.

He continues to go to workshop (drives a mile there) and work on his tractors and other items; contemplating having to change the tyres on his Jeep himself if local supplier can't get the make which he wants.

He's 72.5 yrs and on 12.5 mg pred. and reducing.

I find that cutting out any processed carbohydrates, so no biscuits, crackers,starchy veg like potatoes, bread, pasta and rice and cakes has helped me quite a bit to avoid weight gain and pre diabetes and avoiding the dragon raising its head. I have made my own oatcakes to have occasionally with cheese. I eat loads of different veg, lean meat, some fruit and dairy ( cannot NOT eat cheese!). Everyone is different though , it's finding what works for the individual and sticking to a plan as much as possible.

All the best.