Dietary question

[79andCounting]

When I had an all-over (shoulders, neck, back, hips, knees, etc) flare five years ago, before diagnosis and before Prednisone, one of my doctors suggested an anti-inflammatory diet: no gluten, no dairy, lots of fresh veggies of all colors. During the past five years, I've been about 99% gluten & dairy free... maybe half a dozen times a year I might have something with cheese on it, which the doctor says is okay as long as it's spaced out several weeks apart.

And two years ago, I had a serious flare, and a few months later the most excruciating flare ever. So I keep wondering... why bother with that hugely restrictive diet (I'm so sick of salads with grilled salmon which seems to be the only gluten-free, dairy-free item on many restaurant menus) if I had my worst flares while being on it?

Is there any real evidence that the anti-inflammatory diet works? What experiences have any of you had with it?

[piglette]

I just reduced carbs and gave up gluten. I did not seem to have too much problem with that. However I did continue with dairy. I got an App which helped me check what I was eating. It compared the nutrition I was eating to what I should be eating.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I am generally low carb but certainly NOT dairy-free - eating carbs doesn't really seem to worsen the PMR but after so long without them, it doesn't do my digestion a lot of good! I'm experiencing that at present, staying with my daughter who is vegan and their diet seems to be carbs with a side of carbs!

In the early days of undiagnosed PMR I did try all sorts of dietary approaches, I was gluten-free anyway back then as I had a wheat allergy and g/f was the only solution when out and about. I left out nightshades, reduced dairy - all that happened was my diet was restricted even further and really rather boring. And it made next to no difference. Only pred did that when I finally was offered it.

What we usually say is that it is worth keeping a diary and noting any links between symptoms and diet or activities. But it tends to be very individual - some find a glass of alcohol causes problems, others say they feel better, carbs often cause people flares, others they make no difference.

And yes - know what you mean about salmon and salad being the only option when out!!! I will give Italy a bit of praise here - I can eat far better there than in the UK even being picky about dietary restrictions!

[SnazzyD]

I think all this stuff is too simplistic and our bodies vary so much to be able to have any guarantee. I think one has to approach it methodically to see what feels ok. I was gluten free and nearly dairy free and still got GCA.

[HeronNS]

Although diet does affect some health things with me (weight, blood sugar and digestive discomfort for example) I've never found any changes had any impact on PMR symptoms. I do think ginger tea was helpful at one stage, made with grated ginger not a commercial tisane. But it's also possible it was just having that extra fluid late in the day, or the relaxation provided by a warm evening drink. 🤷‍♀️