Hello Denise, I didn't follow any specific anti inflammatory diet as such but after being finally diagnosed (was bedbound for several months), I decided to research anti inflammatory foods with the view that they couldn't harm me, might help me and, above all, I felt it was a way of getting back some sort of control over my life.
I can't say that
I included oily fish several times a week such as sardines (with bones - good for our bones), mackerel, salmon, and trout. I also added lots of beetroot, avocado, garlic and turmeric. I included lots of known diuretic type foods such as asparagus, garlic, fennel and melon.
I reduced or gave up refined carbs where possible, including white bread, white potatoes (substituted with sweet potatoes) and parsnips. These foods turn to sugar in our bodies which can increase steroid-induced weight gain and could add to the risk of steroid-induced diabets. I avoided all processed meats, coffee sugar and alcohol.
To answer your question, I can't state categorically that "it will help with PMR in conjunction with the pred ie. helping the prednisolone to work quicker and preventing flare ups at a later date." What I can say is that following this type of diet eased my pain along the way, for instance if I missed out on my oily fish for any length of time I would notice returning pain.
A dietitian gave a talk at one of our PMR support group meetings and she mentioned that although diet control is not as good as steroids for reducing inflammation, it can protect against heart disease and help reduce certain types of inflammation, and a Mediterranean-type diet was recommended.
My ears picked up when she said that phytonutrients in plants, predominantly flavonoids, are also anti-inflammatory substances and among the foods these are found in is 70% dark chocolate!
I'm sure that if there was "a link to food sensitivities/allergies and these inflammatory diseases", we would have heard about it by now. $800! Save your money.......I'd rather spend it on chocolate!