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PMR relief with antibiotics?

Posted , 6 users are following.

audrey80537
audrey80537

Twice in the past two months I was placed on antibiotics for an infected wound on my leg. Both times I felt enormous relief in my PMR symptoms. Is there a possibility antibiotics could be a remedy in the treatment of PMR?

0 likes, 15 replies

15 Replies

  • EileenH
    EileenH audrey80537

    Posted

    It's been asked again and again - and there has never been a study about it. With the problems we face with antibiotic resistance I doubt there will be. It doesn't happen to everyone - never has for me - but it has been commented on before.

    My husband has a Hungarian colleague whose wife had something that was at least akin to PMR/GCA which responded to pred but she had awful side effects. Together with his rheumatology colleagues they tried antibiotics for over a year - and whatever it was went away. But it wasn't a certain diagnosis, it wasn't done in a controlled way - and PMR goes into remission on its own anyway.

    • linda17563
      linda17563 EileenH

      Posted

      This is interesting because I have just finished 2 lots of double strength antibiotics for pneumonia....and yes, the pain/stiffness much easier!  Also my sister went in hospital last year to have gall bladder removed, she caught an infection (as you do) and she has RA, she was given antibiotics.....she felt wonderful, could walk amd bend normal.  When I asked about this when I visited her, doctor said it`s a mystery....well, It`s a pity it isn`t researched....is the PMR caused by underlying infection or something...who knows...it can`t be coincidence...

      ​I am sure I once saw an article about a doctor that prescribed very low dose antibiotics either for PMR or RA, are you aware of that?.....

    • EileenH
      EileenH linda17563

      Posted

      No, apart from this colleague with his wife, and he never told me what dose they used. 

      I must ask the rheumy with whom I am a patient research partner. It would be a very interesting study if they could set one up - but the usual problem will arise, funding...

  • constance.de
    constance.de audrey80537

    Posted

    They certainly helped me.  I was hospitalised for two weeks recently (chronic inflamation and internal bleeding) - strong antibiotics were necessary.  PMR pains didn't disappear but were better than I had been for months.  Even after the time in hospital the pain was easier for a while (strangely enough so was my OA pain - coincidence??). However, we can't be on antibiotics for long, sadly.  Perhaps just lying around in bed for two weeks helped too - can't do that all the time either!!

     

    • audrey80537
      audrey80537 constance.de

      Posted

      I have read where there are PMR patients who have been placed on a low dosage and do very well. My symptoms have pretty much disappeared especially the fatigue.

      As far as inactivity My PMR has worsened in the past due to inactivity but also I haven't been inactive.

      I really believe the antibiotic has made a vast difference in the way I feel if only for the fact that the first time on it the pain and fatigue disappeared but returned when discontinued. The second time on it which is presently the pain and fatigue has again disappeared.

  • mikeschine
    mikeschine audrey80537

    Posted

    Some of the Antibiotics have immunmodulatory effects however since the sideeffect are not tolerable for longterm treatment they have never been developped in this indication. I am in drug developpment for 25 years now

    best regards and a wonderful chrismas for all

    ines

    • linda17563
      linda17563 mikeschine

      Posted

      Thanks for that explanation....and have a good Christmas yourself...
  • Anhaga
    Anhaga audrey80537

    Posted

    Audrey, I think we are going to find that more and more diseases can be explained by, if not a definite disease organism, some sort of imbalance in our own microbiomes.  Research is showing how important our gut microbiome is, and there is a controversial and unproven theory that sarcoidosis, another inflammatory disease, has a microbe component.  I have a non-symptomatic form of sarcoidosis and discovered that my vitamin D level is very high.  This can be caused by the sarcoidosis granulomas, the possibility being that a biofilm of some sort is activating D, which normally wouldn't be activated until the body needed it.  In the past I've found that taking antibiotics for something has made another thing (e.g. dry itchy skin) improve.  Interestingly, the skin problem has also cleared up with prednisone. I've made it a habit now of consuming something fermented every single day, whether yoghurt, kefir, or fermented vegetables, to try to make my microbiome healthier and hopefully reduce inflammation. 

    I hope your infection is well and truly healed now - eat your fermented foods!

    • audrey80537
      audrey80537 Anhaga

      Posted

      I found your post and Eileen's to be very interesting and I will follow through with the information. I wish some research would be done but most certainly it won't be here in the US. I don't believe there are enough people here with the condition to warrant it I would be happy to contribute to a research program as I'm sure many others would.

      My son was diagnosed with sarcoidosis around the same time I was with PMR two years ago. He has serious problems with his lungs and therefore breathing is difficult. However he is improving without medication as he is allergic to prednisone.

      Thank you for the information and Merry Christmas!

    • Anhaga
      Anhaga audrey80537

      Posted

      I suspect that many of the autoimmune diseases exist along a single spectrum.  Many PMR patients have at least one other inflammatory condition, and as you note there seems possibly a family connection - although we don't know whether it's genetic predisposition or some as yet undiscovered infectious agent.  Therefore it is possible as research discovers more about the cuses and possible cures for more serious conditions, PMR patients may benefit as we.. I have (non-symptomatic) sarcoidosis and was interested to learn that if I had overt symptoms the treatment would have been prednisone!  I'm glad your son is doing well.  Have you any idea if he may be allergic to other substances, which might have been possible triggers for the disease?

  • Anhaga
    Anhaga audrey80537

    Posted

    I got moderated, annoyingly I hadn't copied the reply.  Short answer - yes I think there is something to antibiotics helping.  

  • macas02
    macas02 audrey80537

    Posted

    I have taken 4 courses of antibiotics for teeth problems in the last few weeks.They did not improve my PMR at all.😪

    • audrey80537
      audrey80537 macas02

      Posted

      From what I've read it may have to do with the type of antibiotic. I am taking cephalexin. I've read elsewhere that someone was put on a low dose of doxycycline (sp!) for a year and all PMR symptoms disappeared

    • linda17563
      linda17563 audrey80537

      Posted

      My sister got relief with Tetracycline (sp) and myself with Amoxillin and Clarithomycin (double strength) .......makes you wonder.....
    • macas02
      macas02 audrey80537

      Posted

      I was on Cephalexin and had it repeated 3 times for infection in teeth

      It didn't help my PMR at all.....

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