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PMR and Alcohol

Posted , 13 users are following.

Danrower
Danrower

I had an interesting experience during the 8 weeks I was untreated and misdiagnosed for PMR a year ago. I am a light drinker, but after 4 weeks of dibilating pain in more joints than not, I decided to go out on Cinco de Mayo (Mexican celebration) and try to numb my pain. From 6 pm to 10 pm I consumed the equilivant of 8 oz. of tequila, 4 straight, 4 in margaritas, with mexican food. Came home, still in pain, went to bed. Awoke @ 4 am, no longer significantly intoxicated, got up, and walked around with NO pain. The reduction in inflammation lasted till late the next afternoon. This temporary reduction in pain and inflammation pushed me to search harder for a remedy. I had lost hope. Please check my bio for additional info, if you like. I have since found additional data that  alcohol users have significntly reduced rates of Rheumatoid. I do not suggest alcohol as a remedy, but I have no idea what the mechanism was that supressed my inflammation. Could this be a path or clue to mitigation of PMR outside of prednisone?? Anyone have any similar experiences? Was it the alcohol, and or maybe the  agave (source plant for tequila)?? It was not drunkeness, there was a definite repression of inflammation. I did not try it again, as I don't like to drink that much. Lower doses (2-3 oz.) did not have the same effect. Thanks in advance, wish I had found this site during that time. Validating information here.

2 likes, 49 replies

49 Replies

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  • MrsO-UK_Surrey
    MrsO-UK_Surrey Danrower

    Posted

    Dan, apart from the fact that in my case that amount of alcohol would probably dull all my pain (in fact, all my senses!) I would place bets on the amount of herbs/spices in the Mexican food having been the reason for the pain relief.  Garlic, ginger, cinnamon, turmeric/circumin were probably in the meal and they are all known to be anti-inflammatory.  I changed my diet during my PMR/GCA days to include lots of anti-inflammatory foods, and turmeric, garlic and oily fish definitel proved to ease my pain - if ever I skipped my diet for a week or two, I would notice increasing pain/stiffness.  Not a cure, but definitely a pain reliever.  I'm sorry if this answer disappoints you!!
  • EileenH
    EileenH Danrower

    Posted

    It probably didn't just suppress the inflammation (which it does) but also cause vasodilation - alcohol makes the blood vessels dilate - which improved the blood flow to the muscles. Other things that cause vasodilation such as warmth in the form of an electric blanket used BEFORE getting out of bed or a warm shower help many people get going in the mornings. Others find their PMR symptoms are greatly improved when on holiday in a warm country - and conversely, worse in cold weather. For others it doesn't have as much a effect.

    You might find this interesting:

    "Is alcohol anti-inflammatory in the context of coronary heart disease?M de Lorgeril and P Salen"

    Alcohol inhibits leucocyte function - but there are no details of which. There is some evidence that neutrophils are involved in GCA and other vasculitides, haven't seen the work for PMR but it is very likely there too. So if what you drank had an effect on the neutrophils it could be the mechanism.

     

    • EileenH
      EileenH

      Posted

      PS - thankyou MrsO for the dietary aspect - wasn't thinking about that! But you are quite right.
    • MrSolo_UK_Lancs
      MrSolo_UK_Lancs EileenH

      Posted

      Lots of good info. thank you, the only thing I don't go with is the hot climate theory, I spent the 2 weeks leading up to diagnosis in lovely hot & sunny Malta, the symptoms got worse as the holiday went by (I was stuck fast in my seat when we landed at Manchester on return flight).
    • EileenH
      EileenH MrSolo_UK_Lancs

      Posted

      I live in northern Italy - it is better than the UK for the PMR I think as long as it is dry whether hot or cold but when it gets humid or wet and windy it isn't much different. The wine is better though...
  • tina-uk_cwall
    tina-uk_cwall Danrower

    Posted

    Hi danrower, what an excellent theory. However, I can't see a day when you could get a bottle of tequila on prescription, mores the pity! But seriously it wouldn't surprise me it cactuses contained medicinal properties, after all daffodils and iris do. All it takes is research and I would only be too happy to help with this possible R&D if there was someone out there with some spare cash. All the best, Christina 
  • helenemiles
    helenemiles Danrower

    Posted

    Hi

    I to can share your experience ... During my journey I have found alcohol has had an impact upon my pain etc 

    i have noticed that it has numbed the pain for a period of time smile and allowed a period of time of feeling normalish !!

    it has given some temporary relief .

    helene 

  • Danrower
    Danrower

    Posted

    Thank you all for your responses, and yes, a one time event, not a scientific study, to be sure.

    You all will relate to the feeling after the first dose of prednisone: that's exactly how it felt. Eileen, I like the vasodilation theory, and MrsO, that exactly why I tried to includ all possible input variables.

    Maybe I'll try an annual replay this Cinco de Mayo, with my 5 mg daily prednisone, I should be able to ski black diamond again!!!

  • constance.de
    constance.de Danrower

    Posted

    Alcohol as a cure for PMR?  Wow, you'll have rheumies hitting the wall!! Oh that it were true!  Not that I can imagine drinking that amount of alcohol before being carted off to A & E.
    • Danrower
      Danrower EileenH

      Posted

      At the time I was 97 kilo, so 8 drinks in 3.5 hours would not result in A&E, but I was wobbly.
    • constance.de
      constance.de Danrower

      Posted

      I weigh 62.5 kgs, so what would that work out in 3 1/2 hrs?!?
    • Danrower
      Danrower constance.de

      Posted

      Funny, sounds like you're gearing up for Cinco de Mayo. Without my endorsing this method, and recommending against it for the purposes of my and this site's liability limitation, my calculations work out that you should have 2 oz. of straight tequila, followed by 3 margaretas with a fine mexican dinner.cool
    • constance.de
      constance.de Danrower

      Posted

      😄😄👍.      But a Mexican dinner in this small, very old, town in Germany?!
    • constance.de
      constance.de

      Posted

      Had to look up margaretas.  Sounds good to me!
    • Danrower
      Danrower constance.de

      Posted

      It's been 15 years since I was to Germany, and I don't remember ever seeing a Mexican restaurant in Germany. Are you telling me that there are very few??
    • constance.de
      constance.de Danrower

      Posted

      I've not heard of one, but there MUST be one (I'll Google it!).  Germany is a big country!!!  But, compared with yours...............?

      By the way!  I'm English, but have lived in Germany for 45 years, and we still love it.  Don't think we could live in England any more - but nothing is impossible!

    • RD_Swede
      RD_Swede constance.de

      Posted

      We visited a Mexican restaurant in Düsseldorf 10-15 years ago. I liked their Margarithas
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