natural treatments

[naturalchoice]

Just checking in to see if anyone has treated PMR with cannabis? I realize it is illegal in many places and it may not be ok to discuss here. I apologize in advance if I'm breaking any rules. Cannabis or medicinal marijuana is legal where I live. I have no interest in getting high. I am in search of a solution for my PMR. I tried the prednisone a second time at 5 mg (for 2 days) along with methotrexate. I wont get into it, but the prednisone makes me utterly crazy; I cannot take it. The methotrexate made me terribly ill as well for about 24 hours after I took the dose. Methotrexate doesn't look hopeful as the sole treatment for PMR. My rhumatologist said she is not opposed to medicinal marijuana but has no experience with it one way or the other. The next medicine we will try is Actemra. I have also hired a nurse who works for medical cannabis who prescribed a tincture for me to try. I have always been very sensitive to medicine. My fear is the prednisone was the only thing that actually helped thus far. I was almost unable to walk when I was diagnosed with PMR. Now that the prednisone is gone, the pain is slowly increasing and it has been harder to walk today. I feel like I'm in a race with time to find a solution. I need to remain calm and know an answer will come. I guess I'm having a pity party today. It felt good to type this though.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

There have been discussions on here re CBD oil, which is legal in most places, as the hallucinogenic material has been removed.

Type in CBDoil in search box and you’ll bring up posts.

However, at present the only sure drug for relieving PMR and GCA symptoms is Pred. MTX and Actemra are steroid sparers, making it easier to reduce the steroids, but that is all.

[naturalchoice in reply to DorsetLady]

Thank you for you response 😊

[MhairiP]

I take CBD capsules and I also take pred. When I started taking pred all the pain disappeared; then I started CBD a week or so later, and I've been pain free and almost completely fatigue free ever since (6 weeks or so). I get the occasional twinge, but no pain.

[naturalchoice in reply to MhairiP]

Hi thanks for messaging. That’s good to hear. I just started a CBD tincture today.

[patriciawhite in reply to MhairiP]

Do you have any effects from the CBT ,memory loss ,or anything ? I have had a couple of people say this is wonderful but they don't say anything else .Would it affect driving for instance ? How does it affect you on a daily life basis .

[MhairiP in reply to patriciawhite]

CBD is non-intoxicating - it doesn't make you drowsy or stoned, so it doesn't affect driving. I started taking it because I have read that it helps with inflammation and pain. Of course, because I'm also taking pred, I can't say how much the CBD has helped. My reasoning for taking it, is that it will build me up for when I reduce the pred.

As for the memory loss - I get days when I'm really fuzzy-headed but I put that down to PMR, pred, or both (or it could even be my age!).

[patriciawhite in reply to MhairiP]

Yes I got the fuzzy brain a lot and there was only the pred to blame ,(or my age too shhh ) Its frustrating isn't it . Thanks for the info

[naturalchoice in reply to patriciawhite]

NO, I haven't had any negative effects. I'm so sensitive to medicine that feeling drugged panics me. I am taking a tincture with a 10/1 ratio; 10 CBD oil and 1 THC. It is just as the last responder said, CBD is not intoxicating. I'm just keeping a log of symptoms and if any relief is felt. Thanks,

[Kcartney103 in reply to MhairiP]

What dosage do you take? I have been looking into it and see that CBD oil comes in different strengths.

[MhairiP in reply to Kcartney103]

I take 2 x 400mg capsules per day (morning & evening).

[Kcartney103 in reply to MhairiP]

Thanks for your reply

[Baileyw06 in reply to MhairiP]

What dose of the cbd oil do you take and what is your dose of prednisone are you on. I have been trying to find out if there are any side effects with prednisone.My Doctor also doesn’t know much about it but doesn’t object to it.

Thanks

[MhairiP in reply to Baileyw06]

2 x 400mg capsules per day; and I'm on 12.5mg pred. I started the CBD when I was on 15mg pred; the reduction to 12.5mg has gone smoothly (about 10 days ago) - whether that's due to CBD or not, I don't know!

[Baileyw06 in reply to Baileyw06]

Thanks, I am at 9 going to 8 on the 4 week plan .I might try whe n I have problems decreasing. Maybe I will try 200 mg twice a day since I am at a lower dosage 😊

[Hidden]

Here in California it is legal but I still use it discreetly as not sure what rules are for our community. Anyway I smoke 2 puffs sometimes 3 about 2 times a week. I get the high and have to tell you it somehow separates me from any pain and I fall asleep much faster. My brain stops putting out questions and answers and if a question arises I normally forget what it was by the time I think of the answer.

I personally think it is the high that helps me as I still know the pain is there but I don’t care.

Oh I only do it just before getting into bed as I don’t like the high before bed it is too weird for me but in bed I just roll with it.

Linda

Ps it has the same feeling as a good buzz from booze. You know that third one you knew you should not have had. My limit is 1. I like pot better.

[naturalchoice in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for your message

[Daisychain12 in reply to Hidden]

Lin sometimes my pain is so bad from the fibro I would use it if it was legal here. But it’s not. Xxx

[Mikb]

I know cbd oil can be used for inflammation, I'm just not sure if it would be effective enough for treating the kind of inflammation involved with PMR or GCA. I took it for awhile, and I think it helped me decrease the prednisone earlier (though I don't have PMR which is a longer run I believe) but I took it in conjunction with the prednisone.

[naturalchoice]

Thanks I share the some concern.

[S4ndy]

I have been taking CBD for 18 months alongside Pred. It helps me with stiffness, side effects of Pred and pain relief from arthritis. I think its very much a try it and see xxx

[Telian in reply to S4ndy]

Is it any good for someone suffering chronic insomnia?

[Mikb in reply to Telian]

Some say it does, but it didn't help me with sleep.

[S4ndy in reply to Telian]

Telian try the purple oil from CBD Brothers. This is an indica based product which helps with sleep problems. Start with 1 drop before bed and up it gradually until you find what works. This is 16% CBD no THC. The recommendation is to make sure you leave two hours between allopathic medicines and taking CBD.

[Kcartney103 in reply to S4ndy]

I have been reading up on CBD oil, thinking it might ease not only the achiness I have with PMR, but I also have spinal stenosis and increasing arthritis in my hips. Wondering what dosage I might start with?

[naturalchoice in reply to Kcartney103]

Depending on where you live, it is sold in health food stores with either low or no THC.

I know very little about it. I went to a cannabis health center and hired a nurse to go over my medical conditions etc. and received a recommendation regarding what to take and how much. I was advised it helps with inflammation but whether it will help with PMR I don't know. I guess its trial and error. My CBD oil is a tincture and it is a 10/1 ratio. 10 CBD 1 THC.

[S4ndy in reply to Kcartney103]

I have Degenerative Disc Disease. I take CBD Brothers 14% CBD Green Paste to help with pain. Its Sativa based with no THC. Start with one rice grain size bit 3 times a day for pain and up it if necessary. It is recommended that you leave a two hour gap between taking allopathic medicines and CBD. Some people fund that just CBD is not enough for severe pain and need a product with THC which may or may not be available in your country depending on the legal situation.

[Linny3]

Hi

I have tried cbd oil but don't get much relief. The methotrexate did help some but I couldn't take the pills. I went to the shots and I was able to tolerate it. After awhile I decided to stop it as I wasn't able to come down off the pred. any quicker and there are a lot of side effects even to the mtx in shot form. loss of hair, headache to name a few.

When we don't fit in with the drs protocol,It appears we are on our own trying to find some relief. Have you tried Rayos? It is a timed release prednisone. Maybe you could tolerate it. I am going to try it whenever it finally gets here. Been working for about 2 months to get it approved. It is approved but taking a long time coming.

Good Luck

We all feel your pain

Lin

[naturalchoice]

Thanks, It does feel like if I can't take the prednisone I'm on my own or try a different medicication that drs don't feel will really help that have have lots of scary side effects. So far, I notice very little after taking the CBD oil in terms of relief. I'll look up Rayos too. Many thanks.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to naturalchoice]

Rayos is just a form of prednisone

[kay7954]

I take 7.5 ml of tincture every night to sleep and it works wonders for me. Had horrible insomnia when I started the pred back in May for GCA.

[fren]

I have been taking Cannabidoil for the past three months and find it to be extremely effective for relieving the stiffness of PMR and backpain due to three degenerated discs in my lumber spine with associated arthritis.

There is no 'High' but I find myself calmer and more content as I seem to achieve more in the way of basic housecare with much less fatigue or stress. I even enjoy the small achievements of changed bedsheets and clean windows.

I take one 1000mg capsule immediately I wake in the morning, (pred 4 1/2 mg taken around 3 am when I wake for the loo). I buy them from Amazon France at about 10 euros for 40 capsules. You can take up to 3 capsules a day, but I rarely need more than the one.

I have never been good with excercise and diet, always thought vigorous housework and gardening was just as good and less expensive, however PMR and pain had left me exhausted and weak. Relieving the pain, stress and 'deadly' fatigue gave me the 'umph' to try to help myself.

I am now enjoying prescribed physio twice a week (massage and supervised exercises in the pool) and now manage two extra sessions swimming at our local pool. This week my Physio has planned a session in the gym. As a bonus I have shed 5Kg.

For me CBD oil does not cure the pain or PMR symptoms but by being more relaxed and less stressed these symptoms are certainly much more tolerable.

[naturalchoice]

Thank you for your response. This is good to hear. I'm hoping something can manage the pain since I cannot tolerate pred or mtx. Thanks!