Tart Cherry and PMR?: Hi. A few years ago, after a... - PMRGCAuk

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Tart Cherry and PMR?

Barnabus profile image
43 Replies

Hi. A few years ago, after a painful attack of gout, a friend suggested that I try Tart Cherry to ward off another attack. I did this by using the capsules which I am still on. No gout since, then out of the blue comes PMR ! Does anyone know If Tart Cherry is of any use in the PMR "struggle" ? As I said, I am still taking them daily, but wonder if it is worthwhile.

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Barnabus profile image
Barnabus
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43 Replies
DorsetLady profile image
DorsetLadyPMRGCAuk volunteer

Hi Barnabus,

I tried a cherry supplement for arthritis after recommendation from a friend, but can't say I noticed any significant difference.

You could try coming off them for a month or so and see if things deteriorate, trouble is you might get a return of gout!

Like lots of things it's trial and error and what works for me doesn't necessarily work for you.

Be interesting to know the outcome though - if you're brave enough to stop!

Barnabus profile image
Barnabus in reply to DorsetLady

Thanks DorsetLady. After reading your response earlier I considered stopping them for a while to see how it goes. However, on reflection I've decided to stay with them for now. If PMR worsened or gout returned I wouldn't know whether to blame Pred tapering or quitting Tart Cherry! Maybe do it later on, if I pick up the courage!

DorsetLady profile image
DorsetLadyPMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Barnabus

Yes, it's always very difficult to stop these things - just in case! It's like me with glucosamine and arthritis - not sure it's doing anything, but......?

PMRandRA profile image
PMRandRA in reply to DorsetLady

It depends upon what form of arthritis you have Dorset Lady. Cherries won't help Osteoarthritis for instance because it is not an inflammatory arthritis. It should/could help rheumatoid and PMR though. I am hoping that my pain free waking this morning is due to the freeze dried montmorency cherry capsules which I have been taking for 3 days. Still hurts to walk, but early days! 😊😁👍

DorsetLady profile image
DorsetLadyPMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to PMRandRA

Hi,

Yes it is OA- that might explain why remedies (?) that others rave about do nothing for me! Ah well, back to the drawing board!

Would that life was simple!

Take care.

piglette profile image
piglette in reply to DorsetLady

A GP I knew said castor oil was really good for osteo arthritis!!

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply to piglette

That sounds like the Victorian concept that all ills were related to the state of one's bowels...

DorsetLady profile image
DorsetLadyPMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to piglette

Just read that castor oil capsules help relieve arthritic knee pain. So may have to give it a go! Not too sure about the side effects though!

PMRandRA profile image
PMRandRA in reply to DorsetLady

Would that be taken or rubbed in? Harking back to my childhood I would prefer rubbing it in, but somehow think it is the other one!

😵😜

DorsetLady profile image
DorsetLadyPMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to PMRandRA

Mmmm!!!

SheffieldJane profile image
SheffieldJane

I tend to think that everything that we experience in our health is connected. I wonder if your attacks of Gout were heralding the onset of the auto- immune disease PMR?

Some of us have a number of auto-immune diseases, I have PMR, Graves Disease and one Rheumatologist thought Fibromyalgia too. I think that everything we can do to build up our mind and body and emotions will help. I have tried various supplements with no particular startling results and will probably continue doing so. My biggest help has been trying to live a healthy life with a good all round diet, exercise, plenty of sleep and rest, the avoidance of unnecessary stress and plenty to keep me interested. My biggest tonic has been spending time with my little grandson, learning how to play and be creative and lots and lots of love. This seems to give me a massive positive boost. So there is something in seeking out fulfilling activities that bring you happiness.

DorsetLady profile image
DorsetLadyPMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to SheffieldJane

Hi SJ,

So agree with your last sentence. Before he died, almost 4 years, ago my husband said to me "I don't want you sitting around indoors by yourself moping, get out and continue to enjoy life" and I have.

Must admit it hasn't always been easy, especially early days, but you must continue to do what you can, and what you enjoy - as we know some days that's not a lot, and other days it proves too much! But there will come a day when you may not be able to, so while you can - DO!

Take care.

SheffieldJane profile image
SheffieldJane in reply to DorsetLady

What a lovely blessing he left you with. He sounds very special.

DorsetLady profile image
DorsetLadyPMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to SheffieldJane

He was! My soul mate.

Mind that doesn't mean life was always a bowl of cherries - (sorry, keeping up the theme!) but the good outweighed the bad.

Barnabus profile image
Barnabus in reply to SheffieldJane

Thank you SheffieldJane. Indeed there could be a link between my gout attack and the onset of PMR. It must be difficult dealing with multiple auto-immune condition. You have a very positive attitude and lots of interests which must help.

PMRandRA profile image
PMRandRA in reply to Barnabus

I started with Gout in finger a couple of years before the RA and later PMR. Then I had trigger finger which started the PMR properly.

Pebble-Sue55 profile image
Pebble-Sue55 in reply to PMRandRA

I had trigger finger twice before the PMR arrived. Do you think there is a connection?

PMRandRA profile image
PMRandRA in reply to Pebble-Sue55

The Doctors and rheumy said no connection, but then it took them 2 years to diagnose PMR, during which time I was branded a hypochondriac!

So I think it may well be connected. Or not. 😂

Pebble-Sue55 profile image
Pebble-Sue55 in reply to PMRandRA

Thank you, who knows what goes on in these bodies of ours😦

piglette profile image
piglette

I get cherry juice which is supposed to help PMR. You should get the Montmorency cherries apparently. I love cherry juice anyway.

Barnabus profile image
Barnabus in reply to piglette

Thanks. I'll have to look out for those Montmorency cherries.

PMRandRA profile image
PMRandRA in reply to Barnabus

My cherry capsules are montmorency cherries, freeze dried in capsules. 2nd day of taking them today. 🌺

Barnabus profile image
Barnabus in reply to PMRandRA

I've read good reports on Montmorency, here's hoping you find them helpful.

PMRandRA profile image
PMRandRA in reply to Barnabus

*well, well*.

Woke up this morning and .. no pain in my legs! Conspicuous by it's absence! Still hurts to 'walk', but I think to a lesser degree. Is it the cherry pills? Is it coincidence? Was the doc right when she branded me a hypochondriac? reduced pred yesterday from 13 to 12 and was expecting nasties this morning.

Only time will tell if the cherry is a cure!. Now wouldn't that be luverly?!

😵😝👍🌺

Barnabus profile image
Barnabus in reply to PMRandRA

Thanks for the update.cGood news indeed. A lovely surprise to have first thing in the morning! Especially seeing that you've also reduced Pred. Could, of course, be a coincidence, but it's an encouragement to stay on the Cherries!

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply to PMRandRA

Any doctor who tried to insinuate I was a hypochondriac might find themselves being subjected to a bit of reeducation...

PMRandRA profile image
PMRandRA in reply to PMRpro

She was relieved of her position. 😂😂😁

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply to PMRandRA

Couldn't have happened to a better person - though I hope it wasn't a case of promoted out of harm's way...

PMRandRA profile image
PMRandRA in reply to Barnabus

5th day on cherry capsules Barnabus.

Legs still good in the morning. However, good news! Pre breakfast and thus pre Pred for the day, my shoulders and upper arms have no pain at all! First time in 4 years!

Is it psychological or do the cherry caps really fix the inflammation?

😊🌺😏

Barnabus profile image
Barnabus in reply to PMRandRA

Thanks PMRandRA, Great news, I'm delighted for you. And after four years of pain, that is impressive. Who knows if the cherries really fix the inflammation? The thing is, they seem to be working! Maybe they provide something that your body needed. Keep on taking those capsules!!

SheffieldJane profile image
SheffieldJane

You are all making me crave cherries. It's probably a sign. 🍒

PMRandRA profile image
PMRandRA

Red cherries definitely help. Unfortunately they are seasonal and also dreadfully expensive. However there is a drink called Cherry Good which works well too. Also good for Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Barnabus profile image
Barnabus in reply to PMRandRA

Thanks. Good to know you find cherries helpful, also for RA. I'm using Tart Cherry capsules. Its probably not as good as using fresh cherries or cherry juice. But I do find the capsules more convenient and probably cheaper. Whether or not they help my PMR I'm not sure. But as I've had no return of gout since starting the capsules,I'm reluctant to stop them!

PMRandRA profile image
PMRandRA in reply to Barnabus

Thank you Barnabus, I will seek out the capsules, although my taste for real cherries will be paramount whilst they are in season . Yummy. 👍🇬🇧❤️

Barnabus profile image
Barnabus in reply to PMRandRA

Very true PMRandRA, it's hard to beat the taste of fresh cherries in season. Although I take the Tart Cherry capsules every day, I do treat myself to the "real thing" occasionally!

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply to Barnabus

Apparently there is a shortage of cherries (equals price increases) here this year because of the very late and severe frosts all over mainland Europe. Didn't do the apples or (even worse) grapes any good in our region either...

Barnabus profile image
Barnabus in reply to PMRpro

Aha! That would probably explain why the few cherries on display in our stores are so dear. I've been looking at them and thinking "I love cherries but I'm not paying that!"

PMRandRA profile image
PMRandRA in reply to Barnabus

Barnabus:

Here's a bit of trivia for you.

The word dear, which we use when something is expensive, is derived from the Dutch word duur ( pronounced dear) which means ? Expensive!

Another:

The word to, as in push the door to, is derived from the Dutch word toe. ( pronounced to) Which means close or closed.

It won't cure PMR, but might take your mind off it. 😊😜

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply to Barnabus

I know the feeling!!!!

PMRandRA profile image
PMRandRA in reply to PMRandRA

I got the cherry capsules Barnabus. Started them today and will keep you posted. 😁👍

Barnabus profile image
Barnabus in reply to PMRandRA

Excellent! I wish you well 😀

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador

Misery-guts here to say - careful with the cherry juice (or any other sort of juice) if you are trying to go low carb!!!

SheffieldJane profile image
SheffieldJane

Well it's better than a cherry cake 🍰 so Nya!

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