Hi People, This is my 2nd PMR Bout Since 2013, I have Questions
Posted , 11 users are following.
Hi Folks, In 2013 I was diagnosed with PMR and treated via Prednisone and got through it.
I also have some minor osteoarthritis and maintain with Plaquinil.
I don't remember much of the details about the 1st bout, I did not diet accordingly or participate on a forum, I just got through it, its a blur.
Now however its back, I'm taking 15mg prednisone a day at once with a meal and the improvement is slow, its only been a week. But my right shoulder in the AM is grueling with the left threatening to follow suit. The hips are improved over before taking the pred.
I take it @noon (I work afternoons and sleep in a little). I have noticed it wears off sooner and takes longer to help, like 3hours . Maybe I need to give it more time? I have notes sent in to my Dr.
Other than the info above I need some diet tips. I have read the do's and don't elsewhere but would like to hear what kind of cereals you guys use and hear some shopping tips. How and on what do you stock up?
How much sugar is acceptable in a single serving as read on the box?
Thanks
0 likes, 10 replies
nick67069 gapi
Posted
Why noon? Most recommendations are to take pred in the morning as early as possible with some food. The reason is that human body has daily cycle and cytokines ( the stuff that attacks your blood vessels and causes muscle pain) is at it's peak in early mornings around 4-4:30AM. The sooner you have pred, less damage is done to your muscles.
Somebody will come along to answer your diet question, The gist is to reduce carbs as much as practical but also to be active ( walks, etc) to prevent muscle atrophy and weight gain.
gapi nick67069
Posted
Thanks, I work afternoon shift and don't get to bed until around 2AM or after and get 6-7hrs sleep. I don't eat right away but I guess I'll start taking it as soon as I rise. Does that sound good?
I just started taking it and its not lasting but I think its because I'm eating wrong, totally wrong. With not idea it was a factor. I knew something was not right so I googled and found this community.
Today I took a Turmeric capsule and an Omega3 Fish-oil, and had fish & Broccoli and my body is feeling much better.
I was drinking Zevia (enhanced water with Stevia sweetener) and having anything I wanted to eat. I ate some chocolate covered cashews last night and had a really rough night and morning.
I learned the hardway.
Thanks, Again
nick67069 gapi
Posted
2AM is perfect time to take pred. I did not realize that you were up that late. I am in a same boat and don't sleep until 1-2am. I take pred with yogurt just before going to bed. The reason is that it takes about 2 hours for meds to get absorbed and become active, which matches perfectly 4AM cytokines release. Try that. Although some people have trouble with sleeping, it did not cause me any problems. It takes some experimentation to find out what works best for you.
As far as food, we are all different but eating diverse and healthy diet is also important. Some have trouble with sweets, but I am not in that group.
Michdonn gapi
Posted
Gapi we are all different, but I eat anti-inflammatory diet, sugar is inflammatory so I just do not eat it or anything else that is inflammatory. PMR is a condition of inflammation in the blood system, therefore each time you eat something that causes more inflammation.
Good luck on the rest of your PMR journey. 🙂
gapi
Posted
Thanks, I have adjusted away from sugars and feel better already. I am having coffee right now with Stevia to see if I can go with it.
EileenH gapi
Posted
The sooner you can take the pred after 4am the better - the inflammatory substances are shed in the body at about 4.30am and the longer you wait after that the more inflammation has been created and the more work the pred must do. Think of just being able to wipe the freshly spilt hot milk off the hob instead of leaving it to burn on! Take it early - and settle down for another couple of hours to let it work by the time you get out of bed. It makes such a difference. But as Nick says - 2am is the ideal time to take plain non-coated pred - proven in a study to minimise morning stiffness.
If it is wearing off before the next dose is due, it is possible you may need to split the dose but that comes later. It is also possible that 20mg would be a better place to start, 15 is the bottom of the range to start at. You won't stay there, you will reduce the dose, but reduction is easier when the existing inflammation is well cleared out first.
Everyone I know who has had PMR twice says the two episodes were totally different in every way!
Diet - carbohydrates, especially simple carbs, are very pro-inflammatory. In combination with pred they also like to put the weight on and can trigger steroid-induced diabetes. You can reduce the changes of both by cutting carbs - and preferably also artificial sweeteners as the body tastes "sweet" and thinks sugar is coming so pumps out a load of insulin - bad for weight!
Reducing carbs also means reducing cereals I'm afraid! Lots of other things for breakfast though 😉
gapi EileenH
Posted
Thanks, I have been losing weight.
So..... I took my pred 11am today, I'll be up @2am tonight, is it OK to take it this soon before the 24hr since today?
Thanks
nick67069 gapi
Posted
yes, it is...
EileenH gapi
Posted
Yes - just means you'll have a tiny bit more pred in the system for a while, usually means a better day!
gapi
Posted
OK, I did the time swap, took 15mg 10AM the day before and then again 2AM and could definitely feel something coming on @3AM.
I seem to have a light condition compared to some here. But before the diagnosis my right shoulder was almost useless in the AM's, and a few days after starting treatment it was awful in the AM's.
The biggest improvement was finding out how ignorant I was to dieting for it. Mercy, if it was wrong to eat it I was eating it. Major reliefe in the mornings and after the 2AM ingestion its improved.
Thanks