PMR and a Low Histimine Diet

Bones, joints and muscles
1

I am 76 yrs old,and was initially diagnosed with PMR in November 2016,prescribed 15 mg Prednisolone daily by the rheumatologist with no effect at all,followed by a horribly painful and crippling reaction to my first dose of Allendronic Acid.This was changed to daily Risedronate and the Pred was rapidly increased to 30 mg ,it was assumed that I was suffering from a severe bout of PMR.

This had a stabilizing effect,and after a while I started to reduce the Prednisolone weekly then monthly,untill last September when I dropped from 7 to 6 mg.This resulted in a huge flare up..I put myself up to 7 without any effect,my GP put it up again to 7and a half,again with no benefit.

Not wanting to increase the dose and my dependence on steroids even more, in intense discomfort I consulted a nutrionist last November.As PMR is an inflammatory condition,she advised a low Histimine diet,and gave me a list of foods to avoid.

She studied my typical weeks menu and pointed out immediately that the mixed berries I had every evening were high in Histimine.I dropped them the same evening,which had an effect the following morning,no intense foot pain after getting out of bed..and generally far more comfortable.

I started the diet within a  couple of days after stocking up with food,which I devised from ‘ things to avoid’ and have been pretty much pain free ever since. She also advised on supplements which I take daily,and suggested Epsom salt baths every other evening,followed by 400 mg  Magnesium tabs to give me a more comfortable night..Bliss! 

I cautiously reduced from 71/2 to 7mg in December,and last week reduced by half a mg again to 61/2 with no ill effects.Although I am very active,and don’t reduce my daily chores of dog walking,and looking after chickens and garden etc,I give myself an easy week when reducing and really focus on managing myself at this time.

i am writing this because this diet has had such a positive and beneficial effect on my PMR and I wanted to share it in case it might help other sufferers.It certainly wasn’t the main focus but an added bonus and surprise is that I have also lost a couple of stone in weight which I had put on  with the steroids,and my moonlike face has returned to normal.

I found pain a far great motivator at sticking to the diet.On the weight front I had tried to lose the weight last summer with no success at all..so it has been quite a surprise to find that it has been so easy and unexpected!

 

I do hope this might help others.

 

2

If it works - you can't knock it! Not sure I could cope with losing more than half my diet though!!!!

3

Hi Fizzyjam,

Would really appreciate the list of foods recommended to avoid.  Good to hear how the diet has helped you.  

4

Fantastic! I just recently had a flare up went from 1.5mg back to 15mg pred..devastated. I will try anything so please please could you give me the list to avoid. I never heard of histamine in food. So happy for you.

5

So pleased for you, whatever works do it I say. I would love to know what you could or could not eat.......thank you....keep well☺

6

In reply to poupe..and Rapha poor you....I can understand your devastation..other than consult a nutrionist who will tailor treatment for you specifically..and advise on supplements..(I am hypothyroid as well so she took that into account).Its not as expensive as you might think,mine cost £70 for first hourlong session..and cheaper for the second about 6 weeks later.

It was extraordinary when I visited my GP,she looked bemused when I told her of the miraculous effect of this diet and how well I felt. I think it will be a while before it is in general circulation.

Otherwise I think the easiest thing is for you to google low histimine food,and pick your way through it,and make your own menu..it is fairly bland.

We all react differently in our tolerance to various foods...I seem to react very strongly to strawberries which are high in Histimine.. ..it can start a flare up with me.I went away recently and was advised by my nutrionist to take an anti Histimine tablet the night before if I was going out for a meal and wasn’t sure of the ingredients.It worked a treat..except when I had a dish containing strawberries..I had pains in my arms later that night and the following morning but after I took an anti Histimine tablet it disappeared.Phew!

if you would like to have an idea of my own diet..

in the morning I have a glass of hot water as advised,with a slice of lemon,followed by porridge with milk and a tiny sprinkling of sugar,plus a hard boiled egg.I started off with decaf tea,but I have reintroduced normal tea without any adverse effect.

Decaff coffee

lunch ..

a chicken breast or mozzarella with salad..no tomatoes,but leaves,(no spinach) herbs,cue,pepper,onion,beetroot,celery.Olive Oil,have reintroduced balsamic vinegar recently.One rice cake with butter and Philadelphia light cream cheese .

Sometimes homemade soup,leek and potato,or butternut squash.with the rice cake etc.

One or two..Cups of tea 

Evening meal

fresh meat or fish...most greenery.. broccoli,carrots,cauliflower,cabbage,(no spinach.) French beans,courgettes.small potato/ rice

pud..an apple/ pear or half a mango.

plenty of water.

hope this helps..

7

That would be devastating after getting so low. Will you be able to drop more quickly than at the beginning? I got to 1.5 but had to go back up to 3 and I would like to drop but there is a lot going on in my life at present. I am a bit sore at times but willing to put up with it. 

8

No spinach? I can’t eat other salad leaves...

9

Oh that’s a nuisance ..it is on the foods to avoid list,although I have accidentally eaten it as part of a mixed leaves pack without a reaction..how about a crunchy salad with cauliflower florets etc?