Are natural remedies effective instead of Prednisolone?

[Twitcher1]

Hi.

For the last three weeks I have experienced a return of Polymyalgia leaving extreme difficulty in raising arms, walking and bending down.

Seven years ago I took Prednisolone for two years for serious PMR, managed to tapper to zero, the PMR symptoms disappeared but left me with Osteopenia.

My questions are, if I chose not to take Prednisolone and tried CBD and other herbal remedies only, are the PMR symptoms likely to subside over a period of time? Has CBD or any other herbal remedy helped anyone on this forum? Also what are my chances of the PMR escalating to CGA?

Hope someone can advice me.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Some remedies may help with the "add ons" of PMR, but not the illness itself.

As it's described as a self limiting disease, then for most people it will burn itself out in time, but you don't know how much damage will be done to your body/organs by the inflammation whist it's not being controlled.

Certainly left untreated there is more a a risk of it progressing to GCA, and I can assure you, that's not an unnecessary risk you want to be taking.

Please think very seriously about it... and there is no reason why your osteopenia should become any worse when on Pred.

[Twitcher1 in reply to DorsetLady]

Thanks for the info.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Short answer: NO. In general, nothing manages PMR inflammation besides pred. Some DMARDs may help and Actemra does (a biologic monoclonal antibody).

At our age almost everyone will be osteopeneic - it isn't a pathological state, just a natural progression of bone density with age and certain other factors. I was osteopeneic before pred - not significantly worse t-scores after over 11 years on pred.

[Twitcher1 in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks for the info.

[piglette]

What a rotten thing to happen. Once you get PMR it is always with you and can come out of remission. A lot of people say it seems different the second time around. As the others say steroids really are the only option, although such things as diet, rest and gentle exercise can make you feel more comfortable.

[Ridge]

I took CBD oil while undiagnosed by GP. I was also on alternate two hourly Ibuprofen/Paracetamol. Nothing helped and I was on that combination for three months. Finally I was diagnosed with PMRGCA and put on a low dose of Prednisolone and within 30 mins all the pain disappeared - confirming diagnosis. Of course it wasn’t good after that as all the side effects of steroids set in BUT I was able to move and get on with life. That was four years ago and I think I have messed things with my rush to get off steroids plus the added difficulty of Covid and the vaccines.

[WaltzG in reply to Ridge]

Sorry to hear come back. Methotrexate has helped me given it because I can't tolerate steriods. Apparently it doesn't always help but has for me and may be because not on steriods as well. Tcz can also help which I am about to start taking. Best of luck

[RachelJDH]

maybe if you have a conversation with your doctor you could inquire about steroid injection in your shoulders. My mother did this and it was effective and avoided going back on steroids tabs and all that means. Have you been doing something different.

[BabyRuby1]

I’ve tried every natural remedy from CBD to turmeric, etc….only prednisone worked