acupuncture

[peggy1920]

does anyone have experience / links / success with acupuncture as an alternative to steroid use to manage PMR?

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Hi,

now you have posted you can see related posts -but I doubt many will say it’s an alternative to Pred -but it may compliment the drug.

[Charlie1boy]

Hi,

I had two or three sessions of acupuncture, and, to be honest, it made no difference at all to pmr pain.

I guess that those with better medical knowledge than I have will say that there is no realistic alternative to cortico steroids for pmr. In spite of what some say about the side effects of prednisolone, I was able to cope well. We are all different, but you certainly can mitigate against side effects if you follow the guidance from this excellent Forum.

Good luck

[piglette]

I had a couple of goes at acupuncture and it did nothing for me, but I think some people found it useful. I cannot believe that anyone used it instead of steroids but I suppose it could happen.

[123-go]

Acupuncture did nothing for me and unfortunately was a waste of money. I had some hot stone massage sessions which were very gentle and relaxing. The therapist had some knowledge of PMR which was reassuring.

[SnazzyD]

I think if there was a definite result with it people would shout from the rooftops given how motivated everyone is to get off Pred. For that matter other inflammatory conditions would have a similar fanfare I suspect.

[peggy1920]

thank you all so much for your input, the suggestion came a bit out of left field, it’s so reassuring to have the support of people who know. Much appreciated.

[agingfeminist]

sorry but all the evidence is that only pred helps PMR.

[Brooklyn747]

I tried 6 sessions of acupuncture prior to commencing prednisone and I'm afraid for p.m.r. it's useless and a waste of money. Sad but true.

[Mary63]

acupuncture helped me manage extreme fatigue.

[BLUEPMR]

I contacted the British Accupuncture Council about trying it as I've used it for other things with great success but was told it wouldn't help with PMR

[BLUEPMR]

I too don't want to take steroids and find Turmeric Rhyzome capsules 500.mg 4 capsules a day help keep pain bearable with paracetamol as needed and cold packs when I've over done it. My PMR is moderate with flare ups at times but it seems those on steroids have flare ups too.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to BLUEPMR]

Only when they reduce the dose inappropriately. However, you must also bear in mind that it isn't as simple as pred bad, no pred good since the unmanaged ongoing inflammation is doing damage and potentially putting you at increased risk of other disorders including depression and cancers,

[BLUEPMR in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you for your input I've never had that explained to me but our doctors are almost non existent since covid and I don't trust taking drugs of any kind as they all have side effects I have been tempted to take Pred when things get bad but couldn't face the battle it takes to see a doctor these days

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to BLUEPMR]

Do consider it - I had PMR without pred for about 5 years and the change in my life once I did get pred was such a relief. It is thought that delaying treatment does predispose you to a tougher ride later.

[BLUEPMR in reply to PMRpro]

My physio said something similar the other week but the doctors have never told me anything

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to BLUEPMR]

Further to PMRpro’s comments about Pred, I would also add that left untreated, PMR may develop into GCA. That can be a more serious scenario requiring much higher doses of steroids with potential sight loss.

[BLUEPMR in reply to DorsetLady]

Yes that is a worry my physio was worried about that too.

[KASHMIRI1]

I have had acupuncture a few years ago for stress and it was great. I am starting again next week for sciatica. Fingers crossed. I don't think it would be much good as an alternative to pred for some conditions.

[BLUEPMR in reply to KASHMIRI1]

Yes it definitely works well for a huge range of things. I appreciated their honesty when they told me it wouldn't work for PMR

[Slowday]

Complete waste of money - I had 3 sessions so I'm now down £150. Absolutely no effect at all. I should have gone down the pub I'm sure the 30 pints of Guinness I could have bought would have numbed the pain!!

[Sharitone]

I had acupuncture as part of phsion before my PMR was diagnosed. It did nothing at all - though it had helped a few months previously with soft tissue injury.

[Poodles59]

Hi, last Friday I had acupuncture on my back and since then I’ve been much better, definitely going to have a few more sessions- keep fingers crossed 🤞worth a try though 👍