I have just received the Which Mag. for April and there is a 4 page article entitled Inflammation : what to know and how to tackle it.
PMR has not been mentioned at all. Does this mean that the inflammation we keep under control with steroids is something different? Pred was also not mentioned.
I would be glad for some clarification if anyone knows please. Thanks
It's a bit difficult to say without reading article - but inflammation is quite normal in life...it happens when your body needs help to heal itself - like stubbing your toe, cutting your finger or fighting a cold.
Our problem is because the immune system is working incorrectly and has gone into overdrive for whatever reason, we have to take the Pred to dampen it down.
Does this make any more sense -
my.clevelandclinic.org/heal...
or this -
You could always write to the author pointing out how important inflammation markers are to people with PMR and GCA and ask why they had left it out! They have probably never heard of PMR or GCA.
They have probably never heard of PMR or GCA
Really!!??😠 Quelle surprise!
It often happens though, you find really good articles on something and the author leaves out something you think is important. As you say we need a copy!
Thanks for your reply. I was not sure if it is permitted to scan the article from Which to our site. I will try and bring it up on the internet and then forward it.
Thank you Dorset Lady for your information about inflammation in general. I had forgotten that PMR is an autoimmune condition and has to be kept in check. It is so important to understand as much as we can and to feel in control of things.
The issue probably would be from our forum -although it might get in trouble. “Which” may have something about copyright laws and not reproducing article. The problem is they are behind a paywall -so not open access.
Local libraries sometimes have a Which? subscription. Norfolk libraries do. I ask a librarian and they log me in on a library computer to search the detailed tests and advice. I will see if I can access the magazine.
Actually I’ve got the library app… so I’ll have a look and see if I can access it via that - good idea thanks…. 😊
Quick look - doesn’t seem to be available, but with have a browse later…
We received our copy of Which yesterday but haven't read it yet. I will certainly look and see exactly what it says. I will also contact the magazine if as has been reported PMR and GCA are not mentioned.
Actually, it's not on my library app. Access requires a login on a library computer that only the librarians can use in my local library (the brilliant Millennium Library, Norwich).
Okay -our local one does have similar as well - but you can also access lots of magazines on the app -(all done through your library card and free) but not Which… 🤨
Inflammation is “flavour of the month” in the media, like fibre in your diet or magnesium. (My GP rolled her eyes when I asked about magnesium supplements.) It just gives them something to write about so they headline an article as anti-inflammatory diet and then just roll out the same old same old stuff about Mediterranean diet. PMR gets very little coverage, which is why the forum is such a bonus for us all.
Left to wonder who wrote it - probably derived from a "health journalist". Based on an AI search and - hopefully - checked by someone with a vague idea ... Though no guarantees ...
As CBL says above - inflammation is flavour of the month - probably year - and is aimed at the worried well not people with proper diagnosed conditions. It's like ZOE has become - general articles that sound seriously scientific and aimed at the general population rather than people with medical conditions. There IS a lot of science there, don't get me wrong, but dumbed down to get you to buy their books, supplements and any other "programme" they can flog you to make money.
This is what it says
"Inflammation:what to know and how to tackle it
It may be a wellbeing buzzword but what does 'inflammation' really mean and is it cause for concern? Martha Roberts investigates the science - and advises what to do to control it"
I wonder who M Roberts is? This is the issue for April 2025 which is why it is not widely available yet.
I hope all is going well PMRPro.
Martha Roberts is a senior 'content writer' - not sure what that means but they talked to: Professor Asif Iqbal, Professor Janet Lord and Professor Lettie Bishop. Under causes they have: Stress, Obesity, Poor diet, sleep deprivation, smoking and air pollution. Answer: eat more anti-inflammatory food; move and more often; look after teeth and gums; get warm (or cold, possibly); try intermittent fasting. I think it is a very general article and M Roberts is just a writer who writes content.
Hope you are enjoying your break!
Life is funny sometimes. I read this post thinking I had not received our copy. Ten minutes later my wife dropped it on my lap. It had just been delivered. Various chronic inflammatory diseases are mentioned, e.g. Chrohn's which my wife has so I know all about that. References to auto immune diseases include RA and lupus but that is a close as the authors get to PMR which is a great pity.
I wonder why and it's possible only the well known conditions get a mention because the article is directed at the general public. But if PMR doesn't get mentioned in this type of publication then it will be forever the condition you find out about when you get it.
Contributors to the article include Asif Iqbal professor of inflammation biology and Janet Lord emeritus professor of immune cell biology, both of Birmingham University.
Did they actively contribute or did the author use their references?
Mitochondrial damage and osteoporosis
guardian article inflammation brains updating of predictions about inflammation”. 
More questions after seeing Rheumy.
Kevzara (Sarilumab) article in todays Daily Mail about woman with PMR
is this study suggesting steroids are less damaging than the inflammation in PMR regarding bone loss
