I had an interesting experience during the 8 weeks I was untreated and misdiagnosed for PMR a year ago. I am a light drinker, but after 4 weeks of dibilating pain in more joints than not, I decided to go out on Cinco de Mayo (Mexican celebration) and try to numb my pain. From 6 pm to 10 pm I consumed the equilivant of 8 oz. of tequila, 4 straight, 4 in margaritas, with mexican food. Came home, still in pain, went to bed. Awoke @ 4 am, no longer significantly intoxicated, got up, and walked around with NO pain. The reduction in inflammation lasted till late the next afternoon. This temporary reduction in pain and inflammation pushed me to search harder for a remedy. I had lost hope. Please check my bio for additional info, if you like. I have since found additional data that alcohol users have significntly reduced rates of Rheumatoid. I do not suggest alcohol as a remedy, but I have no idea what the mechanism was that supressed my inflammation. Could this be a path or clue to mitigation of PMR outside of prednisone?? Anyone have any similar experiences? Was it the alcohol, and or maybe the agave (source plant for tequila)?? It was not drunkeness, there was a definite repression of inflammation. I did not try it again, as I don't like to drink that much. Lower doses (2-3 oz.) did not have the same effect. Thanks in advance, wish I had found this site during that time. Validating information here.
Dan, apart from the fact that in my case that amount of alcohol would probably dull all my pain (in fact, all my senses!) I would place bets on the amount of herbs/spices in the Mexican food having been the reason for the pain relief. Garlic, ginger, cinnamon, turmeric/circumin were probably in the meal and they are all known to be anti-inflammatory. I changed my diet during my PMR/GCA days to include lots of anti-inflammatory foods, and turmeric, garlic and oily fish definitel proved to ease my pain - if ever I skipped my diet for a week or two, I would notice increasing pain/stiffness. Not a cure, but definitely a pain reliever. I'm sorry if this answer disappoints you!!
It probably didn't just suppress the inflammation (which it does) but also cause vasodilation - alcohol makes the blood vessels dilate - which improved the blood flow to the muscles. Other things that cause vasodilation such as warmth in the form of an electric blanket used BEFORE getting out of bed or a warm shower help many people get going in the mornings. Others find their PMR symptoms are greatly improved when on holiday in a warm country - and conversely, worse in cold weather. For others it doesn't have as much a effect.
You might find this interesting:
"Is alcohol anti-inflammatory in the context of coronary heart disease?M de Lorgeril and P Salen"
Alcohol inhibits leucocyte function - but there are no details of which. There is some evidence that neutrophils are involved in GCA and other vasculitides, haven't seen the work for PMR but it is very likely there too. So if what you drank had an effect on the neutrophils it could be the mechanism.
PS - thankyou MrsO for the dietary aspect - wasn't thinking about that! But you are quite right.
Hi danrower, what an excellent theory. However, I can't see a day when you could get a bottle of tequila on prescription, mores the pity! But seriously it wouldn't surprise me it cactuses contained medicinal properties, after all daffodils and iris do. All it takes is research and I would only be too happy to help with this possible R&D if there was someone out there with some spare cash. All the best, Christina
Hi
I to can share your experience ... During my journey I have found alcohol has had an impact upon my pain etc
i have noticed that it has numbed the pain for a period of time and allowed a period of time of feeling normalish !!
it has given some temporary relief .
helene
Thank you all for your responses, and yes, a one time event, not a scientific study, to be sure.
You all will relate to the feeling after the first dose of prednisone: that's exactly how it felt. Eileen, I like the vasodilation theory, and MrsO, that exactly why I tried to includ all possible input variables.
Maybe I'll try an annual replay this Cinco de Mayo, with my 5 mg daily prednisone, I should be able to ski black diamond again!!!
Alcohol as a cure for PMR? Wow, you'll have rheumies hitting the wall!! Oh that it were true! Not that I can imagine drinking that amount of alcohol before being carted off to A & E.
Constance, please forgive, Yankee here, what's A & E?
Accident&Emergency - your ER or ED
At the time I was 97 kilo, so 8 drinks in 3.5 hours would not result in A&E, but I was wobbly.
I weigh 62.5 kgs, so what would that work out in 3 1/2 hrs?!?
Funny, sounds like you're gearing up for Cinco de Mayo. Without my endorsing this method, and recommending against it for the purposes of my and this site's liability limitation, my calculations work out that you should have 2 oz. of straight tequila, followed by 3 margaretas with a fine mexican dinner.
😄😄👍. But a Mexican dinner in this small, very old, town in Germany?!
Had to look up margaretas. Sounds good to me!
They are
Though I am aware of the problems!
It's been 15 years since I was to Germany, and I don't remember ever seeing a Mexican restaurant in Germany. Are you telling me that there are very few??
Alcohol is a wonderful, short term fix - it's the hangover the next day that's the killer!
Actually, I became ill after about 5 "drinks," spinning world, but no vomiting. And Yes, I was hung over, but the hangover was nothing compared to the elation of PMR pain reduction. My point in this posting is to see if any others had the suspicion that there was an anti-inflammatory affect of relative high doses of alcohol, outside of the direct effects of inebriation. I have recalled this significant event to 2 rheumatologists, one being the chair of the rheumatology department at Mayo Clinic Jax, FL who was the first to confirm PMR probability. All just look at me with vacant looks, like alcohol would certainly make me feel better. It dosen't, it usually makes me feel worse, with other conditions (osteo). I think that if true, and it could be replicated, then there may be a path for a treatment other than prednisone, If they can isolate the mechanism. But as some of you might agree, I have significant FEAR of being without my prednisone. I never understood the attraction of substance addiction, until this. I feel like a prednisone addict, and were it not available legally, I would aquire it any way I could. As mentioned in Bio, I'm down to 5 mg a day, after 1 year. I do think the experience was a little humorous, but I have fear of pain around my humerus. (joke) thanks all...
The reason I mention prednisone "fear" is because I am truely afraid to go off of prednisone, viscerally afraid. Otherwise, I would go off and test my theory on tequila again.