Aloe Vera

[rewerb]

After reading Kate Gilberts excellent book I tried her recommendation of Aloe Vera juice. It seems to help with my aches & pains.

Has anyone any other unconventional treatments they would recommend?

Thanks. Robin

[SheffieldJane]

My friend has reduced her cholesterol from 7.5 to 5.1 by using Heart Active milk with Plant Sterols and no other dairy. It is available on-line at Morrison’s. She only did it for a few weeks, she hardly eats meat.

There are Plant Sterol supplements, I wonder if they would be good? Trouble is we need the calcium from dairy. It’s a mine field.

[HeronNS in reply to SheffieldJane]

You can get lots of absorbable calcium from the right kinds of leafy greens.

[Rose54]

I use Arnica gel for muscle aches

Epson salts in bath

Wheat heat bags

[ConventCassie]

I bought some after reading the book, but then it bothered me that she used it and subsequently got Diabetes so I took it back. Presently I’m fasting once a week (only 18 hours). It’s not necessarily for PMR but I’ll let you know if it helps

It’s from the anti-inflammatory literature.

[Polywotsit PMRGCAuk team member in reply to ConventCassie]

Hi Cassie - the diabetes was undoubtedly linked to my taking steroids for a long time. They are not called glucocorticoids for nothing - they raise your blood glucose. The aloe had nothing to do with it.

[ConventCassie in reply to Polywotsit]

Thank you Kate. I’ll go buy it again. I have read many things here in connection with Prednisone and have changed my Plant Based no oil diet to dr. Assem & his Pioppi Diet and Dr. Perlmutter’s book the Grain Brain. A hugh switch. Dr. Assem has amazing things to say, but his cookbook is not an easy meal plan to follow - if your busy. Do you mind if I ask what eating program you are following now? I’m trying to be preventive.

By the way, I recommend your book to everyone on my Facebook PMR sites and I’m so grateful to you. Unfortunately I was well over a year into this before I found you and this terrific site. Thank you. We all owe you a big debt.

[Polywotsit PMRGCAuk team member]

Thanks Robin for the very kind words. Interestingly, at the Portsmouth Research Roadshow last Saturday, the speaking consultant rheumatologist, Dr Wang, spoke at length about current research into gut health. How the gut has its own immune system, for example, because it is constantly having to deal with the bacteria and everything we are taking into our bodies every day. He didn't go as far as saying that gut problems can cause autoimmune illness, but he clearly believes we are on the brink of understanding a lot more. I am actually thinking of going back onto the aloe juice for a couple of other autoimmune issues that are ongoing. Still PMR-free, I'm happy to say!

[ClarkB in reply to Polywotsit]

I was interested to hear what you say about Dr Wang and his research into gut health. For a while, since I was diagnosed with PMR in January, I have wondered if there was a connection, as I was in hospital in 2013 with diverticulitis. Some of my PMR symptoms resemble those I had at the time- weak, shaky, dizzy, aches as well as bloating. As I have those symptoms at present, I’m questioning whether it’s the diverticulitis or the PMR! I had fewer diverticulitis flare ups since I started taking Symprove (live and active water based bacteria) daily, so perhaps it is the PMR!

I have just bought your book which has excellent reviews, and look forward to reading it! Thankyou Kate.

Brenda

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to ClarkB]

There are other autoimmune disorders that cause PMR symptoms - PMR is just the label for a set of symptoms and there are several potential causes. There are people who suspect many gastrointestinal conditions are autoimmune in origin - and may be associated with other autoimmune disorders.

[ClarkB in reply to PMRpro]

It’s all a mystery to me, especially as I am always confused when I read up on autoimmune disorders (amongst other things). With my diverticulitis, the Consultant said it was uncommon to have the problem on the right side, as opposed to the left, so it was diverticulitis question mark. Symptoms during my hospital stay resembled what I now have under the label PMR, except that I didn’t then start with a painful shoulder and arm, which I was unable to move. I have been on steroids since January, and although it has been nearly 6 months, I still feel in the dark about everything. I find it useful reading the posts, and appreciate your input which enables me to understand a little bit more! Thankyou

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to ClarkB]

How does your consultant treat your diverticulitis? Antibiotics I assume? Which just messes up the gut flora even more.

jinasc on here was advised by her gastro to use a probiotic after a messed up surgery - she swears by VSL#3. It is relatively expensive but works!

[ClarkB in reply to PMRpro]

I haven’t seen the consultant since I went into hospital as an emergency in 2013. He thought I needed surgery, but fortunately I escaped that, and was put on antibiotics after leaving hospital. I have since been on them, but I found that the liquid Symprove probiotic I take has helped, as I haven’t had the intense pain. Whether or not it is coincidence I don’t know. It is expensive. I continued to have the dizziness, weakness, particularly legs, and feeling unwell regardless, but only occasionally for a few days duration.

I will look up VSL#3. as well. I could try it as an alternative.

[GCA1947 in reply to Polywotsit]

Hi Kate,

I'll get to the point eventually,

I've got G.C.A.-I don't know if this is linked but the current flare which doesn't seem to want to go away continuing headache left of forehead is being treated with acupuncture by the Acupuncturist who's been treating my long-term back pain following the spine bone fracture in 2016. Flare originally only on left side of my head, forehead, round eye-socket, sinuses and top jaw. and a disgusting discharge from the left nostril. His treatment for that is for me to wipe Aloe Vera Gel with a cotton bud up the inside of each nostril morning and evening and symptoms are improving.

Pred. has been raised to 7.5 mg from 6.5 mg at the time of the flare. I actually went up to 8.5 but C.R.P. only at 8 up from 6 at the time and came down to 7.5 mg. Janet and I had used Aloe Vera for years as a soother for sun burnt skin and it had always been very effective. Acupuncturist is going to have a go at reducing my Klinefelter obesity & poor diet weight gain as Vascular Surgeon has said I must get down to 13 stones to reduce the pressure on my varicose veins. (It's all fun with Klinefelters Syndrome). I didn't know one could get an Aloe Vera juice, I game to try anyway.

Glad you're still P.M.R. free

Regards

Colin

[Polywotsit PMRGCAuk team member in reply to GCA1947]

Hi Colin,

Klinefelter sounds like a very nasty character indeed! I too have used aloe for years for burns and it was that that persuaded me to try it for my gut. If you go for it, get the 100% pure gel.2 fluid ounces a day. It tastes foul - a bit like a TCP cocktail but it certainly didn't do me any harm.

[GCA1947 in reply to Polywotsit]

Hi Kate

I did buy a bottle from Holland & Barrett in Felixstowe on Friday of last week and have been swigging it down in 10 ml (2 tablespoons as you recommended) three times a day ever since. Yes it is horrible but when I stored it in the fridge as the bottle said to do somehow the taste was a bit pleasanter. I will persevere because I've had a problem with excess stomach acid production for a very long time. Certainly since I emigrated to Suffolk from London in 1970, and the Doctor's at Ipswich Hospital scratched their heads and couldn't work out what was wrong with me. I think it's somehow linked to the Klinefelters which affects me in many ways.

I must watch out for the undermentioned

Males with KS may have an increased risk of certain conditions including:

•Cardiovascular disease - this is due to increased cholesterol levels which may occur and the risk can be reduced with testosterone treatment.

•Osteoporosis - low levels of testosterone increase the risk of developing osteoporosis. If you have KS you should have regular bone density screening tests.

•Breast cancer - the risk of developing breast cancer is about 20 times higher than in otherwise healthy men. If you have KS, you should regularly examine your breast area (I've got small ones and regularly check). and see your Doctor if you have any concerns.

•Autoimmune diseases - these include systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis and Sjögren's syndrome.

•Diabetes - this is also more common if you have KS.

Bolded refs are present.

, •Thromboembolism - men with KS have an increased risk of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism (blood clots in blood vessels).

•

I dug this bit out of the condition report that I give all new consultants because few have even heard of the condition.

Thank you for telling me regarding the juice

Regards

Colin

[jwb43]

I find that oil of oregano helps my pain and also sometimes a supplement called relief factor helps.