Any other vegans with PMR on here ?

[Seekingasolution]

I’ve had this disease for 12 years now but finally, finally, it’s abating. I’ve tried tapering many times slowly but it has always flared in the past. This time I’m down to 1 mg or less . I can walk the dog for three miles now at a reasonable pace - unthinkable a year back - and not have to have a snooze afterwards. I can actually do my own pedicure now, I sleep better still with several pillows but best of all my mood is back to happy as opposed to generally down. In my case the big change started with a change in diet. I don’t know whether this is down to ‘anti-inflammatory’ food, lowered cholesterol, whether the disease has just finally run its course or what. But hence the question.

[Seekingasolution]

I should add that I know that this is a complex issue and if switching to a plant based diet was the whole answer then none of us would need steroids. None the less .

[SheffieldJane]

what we eat does have an impact. I no longer eat meat or gluten. It is more the negative effects of doing so than a positive effect. Sugar is a killer to + spice.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

There was a study for inflammatory arthritis that found that for half of patients a strict vegan diet resulted in relief of joint pain but any reintroduction of animal protein, however small, reversed the effect. And it only worked for half in the first place. Few were able to maintain the vegan diet when it wasn't being delivered to their door - it was 20-odd years ago when it needed commitment to be healthily vegan.

OTOH, my granddaughter became vegan and no longer visits the ED every few weeks circling the drain with brittle asthma, she has "normal" asthma. For some it may do a lot.

[Seekingasolution]

Really interesting . I’m more ‘plant based ‘ than vegan so a bit of animal protein does not reverse the effect. I just think I’ve got a balance say 80/20 that works for me. . I put milk on my muesli and in my tea and the odd bit of fish but other than that I’m eating minestrone type soup with veg stock and using spices in vegetable dishes - and really enjoying them. I’m lucky that I can tolerate any amount of beans and cabbage without it having any dire consequences. I’m convinced I’ve found the solution for me- of course I may yet have flares to deal with- but I’m hugely optimistic.

[bakingD]

Am not vegan but have cut out sugar and most dairy- That simple change has meant have lost weight and for the first time ever am fairly comfortable on 3 mg Pred- it could be coincidence that my PMR is lessening or that have stopped work for now as am due a knee arthroscopy and wanted time to do my exercises ie less stress-Am doing well over 15,000 steps a day and finally feel I am getting a bit better!!

[Seekingasolution in reply to bakingD]

great news ! I’m Just wondering if a plant based diet would help a lot of people. Or a percentage anyway

[AuthorJ]

hi Seeking,, I am a vegan now for 23 years after being a vegetarian since 1983 when it was not so popular as it is today in USA. I almost never eat processed foods

After reading all these posts in this group I feel that I am doing very well. I had increasingly worse symptoms for about 4 months. As soon as I took 1 15 mg of pred I felt like my old self again. Only had 1 flair when reducing from 4 to 3 mg. Now I’m doing that tapermuch slower. I do not know if my diet has anything to do with my PMR story but I do know that when I eat simple carbs or other inflammatory foods I know it !

[Seekingasolution in reply to AuthorJ]

I found that this site has had such a wealth of information that I have been so grateful for especially in the absence of anything much from doctors. Like you in comparison to others I am thankful that my condition has not been worse although it felt quite bad enough at the outset. I’m interested that you were vegetarian / vegan throughout. Clearly not the whole story with this illness but I have also checked my salt and alcohol intake and overall I have now lost the stone I put on with inactivity iniatially. I wish you well with your slow taper - seems to be key.

[AuthorJ in reply to Seekingasolution]

Thank you Seekingasolution. May you ( and everyone ) soon be on the exit ramp of this bumpy road!

[GerriMc]

very interesting. I’m not a strict vegan but have been following a plant based diet for some years now. I do eat some fish occasionally. About a year after diagnosis, I found I couldn’t tolerate meat, it made me really queasy. So I just stopped eating it. In general, my health improved. I still need 2mgs of Pred every day but given yours and PMRPRO‘s posts, I’m strongly considering going full vegan just to see what happens. I have to be very careful with sugar too. I definitely felt overall inflammation very high post Christmas, chocs, drinks etc. 🙄

[AuthorJ in reply to GerriMc]

I began my veggie life in honor of all life. The health benefits have been amazing! My doctors say they want to be as healthy ( PMR aside) as I am when they are my ripe old age of 78.

(Was a former smoker and wine and sugar and chips fan. )

[GerriMc in reply to AuthorJ]

that’s wonderful!

[AuthorJ in reply to GerriMc]

😊 thanks GerriMc

[Seekingasolution in reply to GerriMc]

I think it’s worth a shot if it doesn’t cause too much disruption at home. My husband was dead against it at first but having seen the difference in me - I mean I used to have to haul myself up the stairs using the bannisters- now I walk up easily. We manage somehow too. Tonight we have people coming so I’ve made a beetroot, orange, baby leaf and pine nut starter - theirs will have smoked trout on it too , then he’s doing some lamb chops ( def can’t eat those !) and I’ve made ratatouille to go with it. Sorted ! If I make minestrone , his has bacon bits and Parmesan at the end.

I’d be really interested to know if it makes a difference if you try going totally or more plant based.

[Sharitone]

I've been vegetarian since I was 8. I guess it would to be vegan to get any health benefits, but my family would not be happy!

[AuthorJ in reply to Sharitone]

I’m sure. My husband is not a fan of my diet. But then, I’m not a fan of his either. We manage

[Seekingasolution in reply to Sharitone]

I still have milk on my cereal so not totally vegan and I take a vit B12 tablet so I don’t miss out on vital vitamins but we have far more variety in our diet now. We definitely weren’t having 5 veg a day.

[Hidden]

I’m a vegan of many years.

[Seekingasolution in reply to Hidden]

a vegan with PMR and GCA. I’m very sorry to hear that. Having been chatting about my recent success with a plant based diet, I accepted a hot chocolate on an empty tummy. Delicious! But an hour later I was feeling funny peculiar and was back in bed with my first flare. So that’s sugar off the list too now.

[Hidden]

Yes I am that! It's not something I talk about much. About two decades vegan and two decades vegetarian.

I use almond or oat milk for cereal and it's very nice.

I've never been one for "roasts" and fry ups

I am happy with cereal and oat milk for late breakfast and have my main meal at about 4pm - of late that has consisted of wraps with hummus, avocado, red pepper and a slice of veggie cheese. I flavour that with a bit of salsa and have a few olives on the side.

Good luck

[Seekingasolution in reply to Hidden]

and do you think you are winning with your illness ? Or about the same or worse ?

[Hidden in reply to Seekingasolution]

I can’t answer that as I’ve been a 🌱 vegan and vegetarian for longer than I have had pmr. I’m sure it helps a lot as I am not overweight at all. I wonder how my symptoms would be otherwise

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Hidden]

But the point is really - being vegan didn't stop you getting PMR!

[Hidden in reply to PMRpro]

true but maybe not as bad as it could have been?

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Hidden]

Who knows ...