age and PMR

[StaffsJM]

I’m 64 and coming up to my fifth year (October). I was told “It’ll probably burn itself out in a year or so! Having said that I’m down to 5mg Pred. I’ve tried to reduce, very slowly and actually got down to 2mg but after a week couldn’t walk again. So … Pred it is. I’m resisting taking Omeprazole unless I feel I have a heartburn episode coming on. Then I’ll happily(!) take it for a day or so. I seem to be quite lucky in that I only have it very rarely. I’m also taking D3 to help calcium take up and B12 as I’m a veggie. I was advised to stop drinking alcohol and cut out meat to help with PMR symptoms so … I stopped eating meat! I’m not completely crazy!🤣

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Not sure why stopping meat would make that much difference - and when on pred you need good quality protein. I eat a lot less meat than I used to but mainly because I can't be bothered cooking it in summer - fish goes in the little oven on the balcony, no smell and only one oven tray to clean! But I do like a bit of steak now and again! With the wine ...

[piglette in reply to PMRpro]

She did not stop the alcohol, so not totally nuts!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to piglette]

Yes - I like a few nuts with a glass of wine ...

[piglette in reply to PMRpro]

That’s a good idea, I can hear a nut and a glass calling to me.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to piglette]

Prefer olives - need a new jar. I haven't seen the chap with the supplies from the deep south lately (Puglian goodies including olive oil )

[piglette in reply to PMRpro]

Olives are great too, also there are some veggie things my sister discovered that cost a fortune, but are delicious. In fact a drink and nibbles are perfect.

[StaffsJM in reply to piglette]

Don't, you'll start me off!

[StaffsJM in reply to piglette]

Absolutely! 😜

[piglette in reply to StaffsJM]

🍷🫒

[Lonsdalelass in reply to PMRpro]

Maybe because eating red meat causes inflammation? Apparently. Just been reading about non-inflammatory diet...

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Lonsdalelass]

You get a wide range of opinions - but the most likely explanation is the extra fat usually found in red meat as fat can be pro-inflammatory. The meat per se isn't any worse. and there are a lot of things worse. Processed meats (sausage, charcuterie, bacon) do seem to be closely associated with inflammation of all sorts.

Found one list of pro-inflammatory foods where I was very amused to see "Two cocktails" made the grade ahead of a steak ...

[SusyTe]

I gave up alcohol in Jan 2021 and a year and a half on it doesn’t seem to have made any difference to my PMR. But I no longer enjoy the taste - most unusual for a former oenophile! 🤪

[tangocharlie]

“It’ll probably burn itself out in a year or so!" We've all been told somethng similar at some stage but at last (at least some) rheumatolgists are talking about the "Two year myth". There have been other posts on the duration of PMR particularly the Eric Matteson study. Some people do get over it quickly, others have it long-term, it's not the text book one prognosis for everyone. 5mg Pred seems a common dose that still controls inflammation, but many people, self included a few years ago, find that when they try and go below that they have problems, and in many cases pushing on with reducing before your body is ready for it makes things worse as the inflammation just ends up worse. If I ever get back to 5 I'll be delighted and will stay there the rest of my life