I met a lady shopping today.. she told me both she and her friend both in their 60’s have terrible pains in the arms and shoulders. She can’t bear to move them above chest height - and said her gp was totally puzzled as to what it might be ! We discussed PMR, tests such as CRP and ESR and of course this website. She’s going to go back to her doctor and ask about PMR. Anyway! Her friend who used to be a keen diver was bought a 40m dive experience by her family for her birthday. She did it but remarkably when she returned to the surface she was overjoyed to find she no longer has symptoms. As a result she is booking 6 monthly hyperbaric treatments which seem to be working. Anybody heard of this before ? Any views ? I think a good shot of adrenaline might help me in a similar scenario. And whilst on here , in my search for MSM today I also found marine collagen peptides. Supposedly anti inflammatory, helps joints etc. anyone any thoughts ?
hyperbaric chamber as treatment for PMR? Marine c... - PMRGCAuk
hyperbaric chamber as treatment for PMR? Marine collagen peptides anyone ?
It will be interesting to see if the effect lasts. I can see the point and how it might work - but they aren't cheap or widely available!
PMR isn't really joints - it affects the soft tissues around the joints which isn't quite the same, But you can only try and see what happens.
How timely to see this! I’ve recently started on a course of Hyperbaric therapy. My sister was diagnosed with MS a few months ago and the MS society offer HB therapy in some centres at a reduced rate for MS and some cancer patients for £16 a session. I did a lot of research and was intrigued that it may support my body as I’m slowly tapering and hitting a few brick walls with my Pred ! Just curious to see what happens. There happens to be one in my local town. It’s £60 a session, so about the price of a massage . I will report back with my experience!!
ah fascinating! I’ve just read a bit of ‘research’ about oxygen therapy and seems it has broader applications than I thought. My Dad was given it by the NHS years ago to heal a persistent varicose ulcer which it did in short order but I now see it has wider applications including collagen repair. Please do let us know how you get on. I live 20 minutes from the coast so it’s something I could access too. I’m also at a low dose dose of pred and trying to get off it with PMR niggles so the idea that this might help and reduce a few wrinkles at the same time sounds very tempting!
Will report back!
Sorry to be a dampener. PMR doesn't directly affect joints. It is a complex disturbance of the immune system and the only thing that reliably deals with it is suppressing the immune response. Prednisone is the only reliable way of dealing with it.
By the way collagen supplements probably don't help anyone. Collagen is a protein and like all proteins they are completely broken down into their constituent amino acids. The amino acids are then sent off to be rebuilt into the proteins we need (collagen, muscle, organs etc etc) . If you are eating a reasonable diet with enough protein for overall health then you are already eating the components of collagen.
hi there. Not sure if your reply is totally about collagen or whether the first part refers to the hyperbaric chamber? Totally agree that prednisone or prednisolone is the best way to suppress the immune response but I guess I am looking for ways to help my immune system help itself to get back to full health. About to go on holiday today but when back I’m going to try Zoë. See if there isn’t something I can learn to improve my gut biome further to reduce the inflammatory effect. Re marine collagen - probably not but I’ll give it a try. A couple of years ago I wouldn’t have believed that eating broccoli every day could help prevent cancer metastasising but the Marsden has just suggested to an ill friend to put cabbage or broccoli into a daily smoothie so there’s probably much we still have to learn about health, disease and our immune system.
Hello.... my reply is re immune system health. I was diagnosed with GCA nearly 2 years ago, it was a terrible shock for me as prior to that I was incredibly healthy and fit. Anyway, I decided that I would research and research this disease and help myself to get better, even though I was taking 65mg Pred which of course helped with the pain etc. I cannot say how many studies I read about diet and Immune health, there were hundreds. From that moment on I changed everything I ate and drank to accommodate an Anti Inflammatory Pro Immune system diet and so far I am doing very well. No relapses yet, fingers crossed, after taking a total of 7360mg of Prednison during a 12 month period and suffering shocking diabolical even side effects, moon face, lost most of my long hair, lost all of my muscle, had terrible psychotic episodes etc etc. I am now 8 months free of Pred and almost finishing Actemra. I believe my diet is as important for good health as the drugs I had to take, and yes Broccoli is in my smoothie every day. The biggest thing I did away with is Sugar, it seems sugar is the absolutely worst drug we can take. I call it a drug because we become so easily addicted to it. Anyway, I wish you a really good gut it is so important. xxx
hi MarksPoint.
Thank you for your reply and good to hear of your improvement. Glad to hear about the broccoli 
I occasionally fall onto a few squares of chocolate at supper time but by and large I avoid sweet things. However I’m now thinking ( via Zoë) that maybe eating a nectarine for breakfast on its own might give me a sugar spike. I also recall a cancer dietician telling another friend to only use a sugar from silver birch if required at all in cooking. In his case he was also told to avoid some root vegetables because of the sugar content so I’m wondering how far you take this. This was about 10 years ago and he’s still here and enjoying life although his surgeon seems to be playing wac-a-mole with his cancer.
My daughter asked me to go on a bike ride with her yesterday and my grandson. My OH was doubtful that it would be good for me but it turned out there were electric bikes and I didn’t fall off ! I peddled round the entire park like a mad thing ! The thrill of it is still with me today and I still feel uplifted ! That and maybe the broccoli I had at dinner time !
Re fruit sugars I do minimise them. The only fruit I eat goes Into my smoothie...approx 10 blueberries half a banana one strawberry a couple of raspberries. I know it sounds a bit pedantic but I believe fruit is good but in moderation. If I had a nectarine in the fridge I would have a quarter of it each day not all at once. The only root veg I eat is potatoes and beetroot and maybe a carrot or two each week. Fortunately Pred seemed to decrease my appetite so I never need a lot of food on my plate. I keep reading about the great health benefits of broccoli but I don't go crazy and eat loads just a small stick every day. Great that you managed your bike ride...I'm still a bit nervous about getting on mine. I'm waiting for my bone scan next month to see how good or bad they are.
But that fruit is far better for you when it ISN'T in a smoothie which has broken down the cell walls and fibre and gives you a sugar rush as a result.
yes I’d read that. How about a ‘green ‘ smoothie ? Spinach ginger green apple. Any health benefits from that ?
No idea to be honest - I'm not into smoothies, far prefer the same stuff on my plate. I'm sure it is a marketing ploy to sell the devices!
well it’s a puzzle to me. I mean you could put spinach etc ( no apple ) into a sauté pan, cook it and blend it to make soup. That’s presumably worse. Although I note that Noom , the dirt app applauds soup eating as you are taking in more water. I think it may be worse on a diet basis as it makes the ingredients more accessible. Think I’d, I’m unlikely to chomp though a whole bag of raw spinach but love the soup.
*diet
Spinach is a bit different I suppose - not a vast amount of carbs'sugar there, But tipped into a frying pan with a load of garlicky prawns I will eat a whole bag ...
lol so would I !
PS - and I did last night! Though the bag of spinach was the smaller size here ...
good for you !
I had no idea about that but I will certainly look into it and adjust what's necessary. Thanks.
I wondered if the Zoe tests were accurate if we are on cortisone? I had been thinking of doing that too.
I’m sure it will be a question you can ask if you decide to do it.
I tried Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy a year or so ago. Much was promised but nothing happened at all!!
I’m sorry to hear that. I thought you might at least have a feel good sensation immediately afterwards. I’m puzzled about the lady who found her symptoms relieved after diving. My OH and I were discussing it last night and wondering if the HC would indeed produce the same effect. Either way it’s about 15 years since I last went diving and I don’t fancy it now but possibly splashing about in the sea on holiday might loosen me up temporarily.
Looking forward to your updates.
Hi, I have just read your profile and I have very similar concerns and interests. I am still going through the diagnosis stage but rheumatologist says I definitely have a connective tissue disease but which one is still unknown. Yet more tests. I am very interested in helping my body heal, especially as I wait for diagnosis and treatment. I've tried to include as many anti-inflammatory foods as possible and eliminate those that increase inflammation. I am a member of the Zoe group. Please share your successes. Good luck
thank you ILP! I am now following you to see how you get on too. I had gastric reflux too for a year or two but it’s gone now ! The group here told me to get the coated pred as Omaprezole made the pain worse - not to mention the worry as my mum and aunt had oesophageal cancer. As I managed to slowly taper the dose, that helped too and my dr told me to lose 6 kgs which I have to ease the congestion. I don’t eat or drink late either now. Being plant based I think has helped me lose weight too and my dry eyes stopped being dry! Prior to this I’d be a bit panicky if I didn’t have my eye drops with me. I’d love to hear how you get on on Zoë.
My GP prescribed Omeprazole for a while, and without trying to sound overly dramatic, it changed my life for the better. However, as I also have fundic polyps and collagenous colitis, one gastroenterologist said PPIs not advisable. Another said to weigh up the risks and benefits. I decided against taking them. I wrote a list in desperation to show my GP how many 'ailments ' I experience daily. I felt quite embarrassed, and like others have said, a real hypochondriac. It worked though as she made an urgent referral to rheumatologist. Unfortunately, it's at least a 6 month wait on NHS. I paid for a private consultation in the end but need more tests. In the meantime I'm doing my best to be as healthy as possible. So far I've added broccoli, hemp powder, beetroot, turmeric, avocado, berries and nuts etc dally. I also eliminated or restricted dairy, bread, chocolate and alcohol. I also invested in a Ninja blender and juicer. This has been a great way of ensuring I get my 5 a day. I'm so pleased that I've taken this first step in this forum. It's good to not feel so alone and to share experiences and ideas.
I totally agree. This forum has been invaluable for information and support. I’m smiling reading your new health regime regarding foodstuffs. Re porridge I’m not sure if that good or not for me now ! I was eating it to try and soak up some cholesterol but of course I add sugar to mine ! I’ll have to listen again to Dr Moseleys just one thing with Prof Spector- and since it’s carbohydrate I suppose it depends on your blood sugar response ! No doubt I’ll find out shortly
Don't get all your 5 a day as smoothies though - the fibre is very important so the fruit and veg is far better for you as the whole item so your body has to work at getting the nutrients. Smoothies can cause a sugar rush because the cells are already broken open.
good point.
it’s a minefield really once you take a deep dive ( excuse the pun !) into all things to support health ! I have Hashimotos too that I manage by being gluten free and dairy free with thyroid supplements from New Zealand . I’ve also bought a red light therapy panel ( again after lots of research!) All with the aim of supporting my mitochondria etc etc . Recently went to the Health Optimisation Summit in London which was amazing ! Thank God I’m retired, there aren’t enough hours in the day to do all this stuff!! Still obviously mega reliant on my Pred 😁
thing that puzzles me tho is that I don’t recall my parents generation talking much about this sort of stuff. Except my granny used to talk about ‘rheumatism’ which does seem to exist as a concept any more and my Dad was very creaky but that seemed to be osteoarthritis and Pagets exacerbated by being about 6 stone when he came back after release as a POW.
There's a story here only wish I knew the details. I'm from my father's second marriage. He was born in 1906. In his early thirties, he was virtually crippled by 'rheumatism'. He had an injection from some eminent person in Harley St which cured it and was walking pooch well into his 80s. My mum was younger, b. 1920, and she developed OA and had knee replacements.
I wonder what the one shot was ?! We could all do with some of that !
You probably weren't paying attention!!! In the 50s and 60 a large proportion of the GP's work was visiting patients who were housebound with rheumaticks. People weren't living quite as long - there would probably have been fewer obvious cases of PMR at least - but they all accepted that it was part of aging and just got on with it. Both my grandfather and a great aunt had PMR judging by the symptoms and walk. But these days everyone expects there to be a cure - and for a lot there is. You don't see the crippling that RA used to cause now, PMR is well managed with pred - which was still a new miracle drug in the early 50s and they were trying it out, When I first worked in the NHS it was joked, if in doubt, try steroids.
Long standing joke😊
all I know is that my Dad was jolly grumpy as he aged! And yes I understand better now !
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