Long term Antibiotic for inflammation

[Amkoffee]

Can anyone direct me to studies done for long term antibiotic use to control inflammation from PMR?

[PMRpro Ambassador]

As far as I know there aren't any.

[SnazzyD]

Do you mean for a known causative organism? Or a broad spectrum hedge your bets on the infective cause treatment?

[piglette]

Is your doctor suggesting long term antibiotics for PMR inflammation? What sort of bacteria is it thought that is causing it? I would have thought long term antibiotics for PMR inflammation is a bit iffy, particularly with warnings against long term use particularly in older women. I would have thought that pred should be sorting out the inflammation, but perhaps there is something I have not understood.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to piglette]

Some antibiotics have a strong antiinflammatory effect. I think it relates to a recent thread where someone commented while on abx their PMR gets better.

[piglette in reply to PMRpro]

I remember, I replied that of the five antibiotics I have been on, I am now on my sixth, had not made a blind bit of difference to my PMR. Surely you don’t go on antibiotics unless someone prescribes them though??

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to piglette]

In the UK and most of Europe - no. In some countries you can get them without - and you know some will try anything.

I also have told the story of a colleague whose wife had what was diagnosed as PMR and was managed until remission with abx. All anecdotal of course ...

[Amkoffee in reply to PMRpro]

Yes and I thought it was you that mentioned a trial done in Budapest. I was able to find one trial done in Korea but that didn't seem to be enough to convince my rheumatologist. I need more ammunition. I am not able to take prednisone so I'm desperate for something to help me.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Amkoffee]

No, not a trial, one patient, so anecdotal. Not even 100% sure it was PMR.

[Pixix]

I take lng term antibiotics, five months if the year, but totally unnconnected to my PMR. It’s due to multiple chest infections over a period of 3 years, and a problem with my immune system when faced with the common cold. Prescribed by a consultant in charge of the respiratory dept! I was only diagnosed last December, so don’t know if they improved PMR. But I had a nasty tooth infection in August, two courses of antibiotics & they didn’t improve the PMR at all. Hope this helps!

[Amkoffee in reply to Pixix]

Thank you. I too have lung disease. Bronchiectasis which can cause repeat infections. But I've been pretty healthy for the last year so no need for antibiotics. I hope you get to the bottom of your lung problems.

[Pixix in reply to Amkoffee]

Yes, they told me I have brochiectasis, but I’m not convinced! If I catch just a whiff of the common cold, then I’m sick for about 8 weeks, lots of antibiotics & steroids. Very tedious: sorry you have it, but try to keep healthy this winter! S x

[jannie21 in reply to Amkoffee]

I too have had bronchiectasis diagnosed 12 years ago but I think I have had it for a lot longer. I take a long term antibiotic, one tablet every other day but my PMR is in remission. I was prescribed them after exhaustive tests while I was in hospital recovering from yet another exacerbation. I cannot say that I have ever heard of antibiotics for PMR pain, sorry, Jannie x.