Montmorency cherry supplements

[margiebell4]

Does anyone have any views/experience of montmorency cherry supplements to help with symptoms of PMR?

[Celtic PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Margie, by coincidence I have just started drinking a daily glass of Montmorency cherry juice in the hope of reducing my raised blood pressure as recommended in the press a few days ago.

As to whether they would "help with symptoms of PMR", as they are known to contain high levels of flavonoids, it is possible they could have an anti-inflammatory effect.  

Oregon Health & Science University have in the past recommended Montmorency cherries, stating that they "have the highest anti-inflammatory content of any food, including blueberries, pomegranates and other fruits.  The anti-inflammatory substance found in the peel of the cherries contains the same enzyme as over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs such as Ibuprofen".  

Certainly not a cure for PMR (sadly nothing is at present), but I certainly consider that I benefited from sticking to a mainly anti-inflammatory diet whilst taking steroids for PMR and GCA, noticing increasing stiffness in particular if I veered off the diet for any length of time.  Had I known about these cherries at the time, I would have tried including them in my diet.

Worth trying perhaps but be warned the juice is not cheap.

[piglette]

I have been taking Montmorency cherry juice since being diagnosed with PMR. I love it but it is not cheap in UK. I was thinking of making a champagne cocktail with it, but have not tried that idea yet. 

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Hi margiebell4,

I did try supplements for about 3 months just over a year ago - not for PMR but for arthritis. It was recommended by a friend, but have to report that I didn't notice any improvement.

Still, as with other things, you don't know until you try. 

My GP reckons that although everybody raves about glucosamine for arthritis, it only works for 40% of people affected. 

Whatever you try, just make sure it's okay with your other medication.  

[HeronNS in reply to DorsetLady]

A comment about glucosamine.  When diagnosed with OA at age 40 I started taking this.  Thought it didn't do anything for me, but when discussing it with a friend she said her husband had been taking it, and found it helpful, but at a higher dose than I'd been taking.  So I upped the dose and kept taking it for years.  Eventually stopped because I thought it couldn't be working, I was in so much pain.  This, I eventually found, was PMR.  I have to say I used to wonder why the pain was in my muscles, not my joints, but I thought it was due to OA for the longest time.  Anyway, various x-rays taken during the PMR non-diagnosis saga revealed very little if any progression of OA in the past nearly 25+ years, except perhaps what I can see in my poor knobbly hands, so I conclude that glucosamine can be effective. 

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to HeronNS]

Hi Heron,

The comment I made was from GP, didn't like to tell him I've  been taking it for about 10 years, long before GCA came along. As I've been taking it so long not sure if it works, trouble is you're a bit loathe to stop, in case you suddenly get worse. 

My friend's latest advice is Tea Tree Oil diluted with Almond Oil as a rub. So I'm try that at the moment. As she lives in France I only see her about twice a year, so now we compare treatments - whereas we once complained about the other half! Can't do that anymore as we're both widowed!  

Think once I get off Pred, down to 0,5mg I shall have to do some dedicated research on supplements for OA. 

Thnx for comments.

[HeronNS in reply to DorsetLady]

Did you ever think that the declining years would be so devoted to propping up the old body?  I certainly didn't.  And I do wish I'd known more - used to think I'd been well informed and living a healthy life but now....   

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to HeronNS]

No, didn't even think about getting old.... Still don't really. In my mind I'm still 25...........trouble is, other things tell me I'm not. 

As I said to someone this morning, when girlfriends get together - in their teens they compare boyfriends, in middle age they compare families, in older (NOT old, note) age they compare medical complaints! Ce la vie😉

[Celtic PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to DorsetLady]

DL, have you tried a rosehip supplement? According to my rheumy, it can be effective for osteoarthritis. Will obviously need the usual check for any contraindications though

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Celtic]

Hi Celtic, 

Have been taking Rosehip for about 4 or 5 months, trouble is - if you see my comment to Heron - I'm taking other things as well. So bit difficult to know what's doing what! When I feel brave enough, and feel GCA is enough in the background, I do some serious trials of different supplements I think. 

Thanks, as always

[Celtic PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to DorsetLady]

Mornin' DL, wouldn't it be so much easier that if we have to suffer from something, our bodies refused to succumb to more than one condition at a time, so that we knew what treatment was doing what!  When I get the opportunity to talk to my rheumy again, I will try and get an update on rosehip for arthritis.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Celtic]

Thanks,

Would that life was simple! No chance - mine never has been, but that's another story folks😉

[Celtic PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to DorsetLady]

Snap!

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Celtic]

That's probably why we're all old crocks now!  But interesting👍

[jinasc in reply to Celtic]

Celtic

Yonks ago Arthritis UK (name changed now) said try Rosehip supplement - six months later it changed the advice it did not work.  Pammy will remember.

Now Flexiseq (bio-mechanical cream) developed by ARC Research does work. You can buy direct from Arthritis Research.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to jinasc]

I know this is directed at Celtic, but have butted in, hope you don't mind! 

Why do we keep getting conflicting advice, life's far too difficult! 

Have seen your comments about Flexiseq before, unfortunately when I've tried it - it does nothing for me. But may give it a try again, things change. So one never knows.