Does anyone else find that a low carb diet reduces PMR symptoms?

Thank you, that is an very interesting observation. I noticed that sugar has a strong effect on my pain. I was given a lot of sweet stuff over Christmas and noticed that after eating it I always had stronger pain.

Because I also have celiac desease I don't eat much starchy food as I can not deal with wheat or gluten, but I noticed that glutenfree products, like pasta and cakes do not agree with my digestive system either increase my muscle pain.

Now that you mentioned it I will write a food diary and watch the individual repercussions each food has on my health.

If we all could or would do that we might get a step closer to finding a way to heal PMR or even avoid getting it.

Please keep us updated.

Thank's again for this very valuable contribution.

Hi, That's raised an interesting point and I am def going to see if theres a relationship between carbs and pain. Thanks for the info

It is an interesting point - and I would be grateful if you all report back (and anyone else who tries this!). I am involved in a group looking at research approaches to PMR and to have several people who try something like this and finding it being helpful for pain would provide a pointer.

I can't say whether or not it is the low carb diet I've been on for 18 months that has led to the decided improvement in the PMR because at the same time I have had the myofascial pain syndrome I also suffer from sorted out as well as having been switched to a new format of prednisone which is hoped to have fewer side effects and I'm on a much lower dose. And the loss of 33 lbs weight will definitely helped! Too many variables and PMR can go into remission anyway.

However - several people have claimed good results from diet but usually it is extreme "bio" diets, especially vegan and a ton of expensive supplements. There is a paper that showed that about half of RA patients experience relief of joint pain when on a very strict vegan diet - as soon as any animal protein is added the effect is lost. Some people have found diets with plenty of natural antiinflammatory foods have helped and they know when they have missed the usual quantity.

When people who are not coeliac say gluten-free they very often mean wheat-free - and I know that makes a difference for me for other things. Although I have a shelf full of g-free pasta I was given by someone I don't often eat it as my husband isn't enthusiast. I eat almost no cake or bread or even fruit - but I eat loads of veg which are far lower in carb. I probably eat 50g carb/day or less - I'm not losing weight fast but steadily a couple of pounds a month.

If any of you is interested there is a blog called Diabetic Mediterranean Diet by a doctor which is very helpful with ideas and some references for other info. It's aimed at diabetics of course - but it is a mediterranean style diet with less carb.

But I'm looking forward to hearing how you all get on - I've had this theory for a while and low carb definitely helps with pred-associated weight gain and it also keeps blood sugars lower and that is also a problem with pred.

Going low carb needs to be done the proper way. I recommend reading the book by Taubes or one called "The New Atkins Diet for the New You". These books talk about the temporary side affects of your body adapting to a low carb diet and clearly explain how to make the change. I am now on the OWL (Ongoing Weight Loss) routine. For me 50 gms of carbs works well. I bought my daughter the book and she is on weight watchers. She states that weight watchers is a low carb diet.

In this forum I have heard people talk about the side effects of changing doses of prednisone. I have reduced doses at 5mg every three weeks from 60mg to my current level of 20 mg. It has taken a week after changing doses for my mood and some of the various side effects to change . After the latest change, two days ago, I find myself to be tired.

I would recommend for readers of this forum to check out prednisone major and minor side affects on wiki. Some of them include Increased blood sugar for diabetics, shoulder, leg and ankle pain. There is a list of major and minor side affect and I have had many. From 60mg to 30mg I had ALL the minor ones the most irritating was the itching, lack of sleep and constant voiding of the bladder. Of the major side effects lack of concentration, nerves, "bouncing off the walls" and hand and leg cramps. I even had trouble balancing the checkbook and paying bills. As I tapered to 25, many of these types of problems stopped, I could think clearly again! However, I still suffer when I over indulge in carbs and hard alcohol.

cc23145 - you should be aware that the majority of people on this forum are PMR patients - on a pred dose far lower than you were on for (I assume) GCA. PMR is treated with a dose of 15mg/day, a moderate dose and one which does not often result in large numbers of the 82 side effects attributed to pred. There are some of course, including weight gain if patients are unlucky and not careful about what they eat, and some patients are unfortunate in being very sensitive. The effect on blood sugar is not only found in diabetics, it can happen in formerly healthy patients. Some of the "pred side effects" are the same as the problems caused by the illness and it is very difficult to identify which is which - "brain fog" happens with both PMR and pred.

I'm not sure what makes your daughter say WW is "low carb" - it is LOWER carb compared to a normal diet maybe but low carb really means 60g/day or less of carbohydrate and that would mean no bread or pasta - and WW claims nothing is banned, just restricted. The site I suggested tells you how to do "low carb" properly - and is free!

However - care in the amount of carb we eat is indisputably a help in avoiding weight gain when you have PMR and are on pred!

EileenH,

Thank you.. I reviewed the advice in the Atkins book I referred to above. In it was a reference of what is called the "Atkins Flu". Specifically, when one switches to a low carb life style, or any diet for that matter, most of the early loss is water as well as sodium. The doctors who wrote this book state that this will cause constipation, tiredness and low energy until the body gets used to a low carb lifestyle. To combat these symptoms their recommendation is to drink more water and to be sure to consume 1/2 teaspoon of salt a day. When I initially read this, late last year, I had serious reservations about this advice; however, the AMA has recently published articles that state that low sodium recommendations have been revised.

I have been tracking my weight and net carbs in an app called "Tap&Track" and I will post my progress next month. I am no longer having PMR cramps.

ColeC

EileenH,

I haven't looked for numbers on your site yet so here are some of the CBC levels in my blood test prior to starting steroid treatment.

Test. Result. Reference Range

WBC 25.6. 4.0-11.0. 10x3uL

Platelet Count. 879.130-450. 10xuL

cCRP. 111. 0.0-5.0. Mg/L

Sed Rate(ESR). 117. 0-20.mm/hr

The neuro, lymph, monocyte, baos were twice normal

The hemp., hematoma., MVP were low

My last CRP, which was taken three weeks ago was 0.2. I am not aware of what people with PMR/GCA are normally measured at so I am posting mine here as a means of comparison. I would be interested in any observations that you might have.

In the UK they usually look at the ESR and CRP - but even that doesn't help me, they are stubbornly low normal (my ESR has never been above 7). They should do a full blood count plus other tests such as urea and electrolytes at the beginning and every 6 months or so - but both inflammation and pred can raise the white cell count. I have my blood test results here in Italy but frankly as long as they look OK I really don't bother.

The FBC is important at the beginning to rule out nastier causes of the polymyalgia - certain forms of cancers can cause the pain too. Haemoglobin is often low - it is called anaemia of autoimmune disorders.

However - many doctors are too lazy (or don't know they should) and don't bother. BP and weight should also be monitored.

Hi Eileen Nice to hear from someone else who's ESR is normal. Mine was like that and that's why consultant ruled out temporal artritis and PMR. Huh what do they know Get more sense from you Thanks

Mousemum

About 1 in 5 people have a normal ESR. It is mentioned in enough of the literature - the arrogant simply disagree with the literature. Some experts argue that the CRP is more meaningful and more sensitive and that by measuring both they get a more accurate indication. My CRP is normal too!

In one paper the authors mentioned a patient who had both at normal levels but they didn't give details of their symptoms and response to pred. I emailed them to tell them my experiences (textbook symptoms, normal acute phase reactants - responded to pred in 6 hours) but I'll be kind and assume they didn't receive it! I am in contact with them now though - so I will raise the point again sometime.

Great post and strangely, last week I bought "Anti-Inflammation Diet for DUMMIES" and its really interesting and eye opening!!! Just at the part about refined sugars, as well as a host of other inflammation provoking foods. This book explains what happens in the body when we eat them. I am only on the first quarter of the book but it makes so much sense so far.

Problem is, its like taking a baby's dummy away..there is not much in life and to take away the sweetness is going to be very hard. I would be really interested in any feed back of anyone who tried this.

I eat almost no refined carbohydrate. Not because I am looking for an anti-inflammatory diet particularly but I am allergic to something in wheat and I develop the most revolting rash if I eat more than a very small amount. Last week I ate a piece of orange Sachertorte (special in the bakers ;-) ) and it was worth the night of itching I had a couple of nights ago. But it would go on for more than one night if I ate it more often.

Removing everything with wheat in it means a fairly basic diet and I make much of my own food. I can't be bothered to bake just for me so it restricts the sweet stuff I can eat - but I don't miss it at all. I eat a small amount of fruit, loads of veggies and cheese and meat is unrestricted. I personally would recommend starting with the 5:2 diet - that means for 2 days a week you are VERY restricted BUT it is only one day at a time and you barely notice that. You very quickly start to lose the taste for sweet foods and your appetite becomes manageable after just a few weeks. Don't go cold turkey - that makes you feel deprived, going via the 5:2 moderates that. Little steps - that's the mantra with PMR whatever it is you are doing.

I certainly don't feel deprived. Today I have eaten bread at lunchtime and we went out tonight and I ate a local form of ravioli made with kamut instead of wheat - but now I won't eat anything like that for days. I still drink wine, eat a square of Lindt plain chocolate (tonight with chilli) - but one square is enough. If you eat a small amount of good quality plain chocolate you don't want more - it isn't a Mars bar! You learn to reassess portion size - and it make weight control on pred possible.

Eileen do you eat potatoes?

I do but very few - I steal maybe half a dozen McD style chips off OH's plate (he thinks spuds only come as chips ;-) ) and one small potato roast with a roast dinner, maybe once in 10 days (it isn't worth doing a roast for 2 except a chicken). I don't refuse to eat them but I don't seek to eat them. I'd rather have a large plate of any other veggie roasted in olive oil - I love roast parsnips but they have a load of carb but luckily they are almost impossible to find here except for about a month or so in the winter and never from my usual supermarket.

I have only just caught up with this thread as I work my way through all the interesting and helpful contributions.

Jenniss, I looked at the Dummies Guide you mention. Is it worth buying or it is just common sense?

I have embarked - today - on a low carb diet for both weight loss and its anti-inflammatory benefits so time will tell if it has any effect.

Tilly