still unsure

[animalactivist]

Currently on 7.5mg methotrexate. Anyone here think cbd oil could help as much if not more then prescribed drugs? Also wouldn't have all the side effects

[SnazzyD]

Hello, this topic comes up a lot. If you search in the “search PMRGCAUk” search box for cbd oil you’ll get all theprevious posts that had it in their title.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Hi

as SnazzyD says lots of posts about CBD oil.

You may find it “helps” alongside the drugs, but I doubt “instead of”.

Side effects? Maybe unknown at the moment - whereas you know what you MAY get with steroids.

You pays your money and takes your choice!

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Anything that can have an effect can also have a side effect - even natural products.

There is a fair bit about CBD oil on this forum - can't remember seeing much positive though. Use the search function at the top right.

[fmkkm]

Hello, I am planning on ordering within the next couple of days. I will let you know how I get on with it.

[Linny3]

I have tried it off and on and just don't see any help. I don't even get relief from back pain etc. I have friends who say it helps a lot, but they don't have pmr. I figured it couldn't hurt to try, but for me it just didn't help.

[Daisychain12]

Just made me sleep like I was almost unconscious xx

[DianeA1]

Nope, didn't do a thing for me...

[Omanain]

I tried it but it didn't seem to have any affect on my back pain. I have no PMR pain at the moment so I don't know if it would help that.

[bunnymom]

I find it helps my anxiety so I stopped another drug I was taking for it. Might help with sleep but weather had also gotten cooler. I was hoping it would help inflammation but nothing beats our friend predisone 😊 I am slowly increasing the CBD oil so the jury is still out.

[Lanakay]

I tried CBD before I was diagnosed with PMR. I know that some people swear by it but I really couldn’t tell any difference in anxiety, sleep or pain. I tried it again after beginning prednisone and I couldn’t tell a difference. Again I know it seems to help some people and I wanted so much for it to help me. Everybody is different so it’s worth giving it a try.

[cezzie5]

Hi I am on Methotrexate 20mgs x weekly injection as a steroid sparing agent for PMR/ GCA/ RA. l have tried the gold, green and purple CBD oils from Simply CBD/UK for over 3 months. Tbh l have found no difference in my pain levels which has been both expensive and disappointing, particularly when the reviews on their website are so positive. I have been takeing it for 4 prolapsed discs and recurrent bowel obstructions as well as the above. I wont be buying anymore as it hasnt helped any of my diagnoses. Sometimes you have to try things for yourself as you are your own best judge. I really wanted it too work so im sorry l dont have anything positive to report.

[gtate1914 in reply to cezzie5]

May I ask the strength of the cbd oil and size of doses you were taking and how often? What did it do or not do for you? Thanks. I am taking cbd oil throughout the day to keep constant amount in my body, takes care of my headaches, 1500 mg full spectrum oil about 35-40mg daily. Been on cbd oil for about 3 1/2 weeks. Keeps me calmer. Have PMR and GCA. I also am on methotrexate 12.5mg injections once a week.

[Blearyeyed]

CBD oil works on the pain receptors in the brain. Hence the larger studies into its effectiveness for use in relief of illnesses which mainly stem from nerve and brain physiology like epilepsy , and it's consideration for MS and Parkinson's studies. As yet it only has FDA approval for two rare and severe epilepsy conditions.

There have been about four studies in its use for arthritic pain and inflammation , but as yet its effectiveness is still under debate , as although some pain relief has been found, any reduction in joint inflammation may have been because of the other drug in the type of CBD used.

CBD oil has also been found to have similar side effects to steroid medications, especially tiredness, irritability, mood swings and nausea when taken internally.

Some people have found some pain reduction with use of topical application, but as yet it is not recommended as a substitute for standard medication , as it may only produce pain and nerve relaxation rather than the reduction in inflammation from steroids or NSAIDs.

Common advice is to consult with your doctor to see if CBD in any form can be used with your present medications , as it may cause contradictions or reduce the efficacy of your current medication.

Hopefully, this information will help your decision , but you may be better trying to stick with your current regime as CBD has not yet gone past an experimental stage, and doctors would not be able to recommend an ideal level of consumption to reliably reduce your inflammation and pain.