Does the sauna help anyone with PMR/OA?
When I was first diagnosed with PMR a naturopath recommended saunas so I have one twice a week. I consider that I have a very mild case of PMR. I also drink tea made with ginger,lemon,turmeric,honey and cider vinegar. I follow a Mediterranean diet and eat lots fof homegrown vegies. Who knows whether these contribute to my mild case but I am going to continue! I feel so lucky when I read about others in dreadful pain. I am currently on 10 mg pred and am coming up for a year since diagnosis.
not sure about sauna, but I take hot bath (40-42C) every night before sleeping. It does help relax muscles and kind of helps to sleep better.
I too believe I’m able to stay on low dose 6mg since being diagnosed with PMR due to a Mediterranean Diet. My GP looks at me like I have 4 heads when I ask if diet plays a big part of disease. FOOD IS MEDICINE...always believed it. Rheumy has me on methotrexate which I’m worried about with the side effects. I takes months to know if it’s working for you. Best of luck to everyone.
Hot tub and massage helps me a lot!
I found the sauna and the steam room good - I saw the results of a study the other day that found it helped chronic pain.
I don't know for sure, but I think it would. Never even thought of saunas, that hot steam would have to be relief for aching muscles, joints, tendons, etc., temporary though. We're getting a whirlpool hot tub when we move, can't wait, & have thought about a port. sauna too. Anyone at all experience side effects when having dropped even just a 1/2 mg. of their prednisone ? Thanks
I once wrote a post on this forum with the title to the effect "What a difference 1/2mg makes!"
If you are hovering at "your" dose and drop a bit - it may take you below said dose and make a big difference. And many people are very sensitive to dose change - if only doctors could be persuaded of that! Not everyone can drop 5mg at a time without noticing it!
Yes, infrared sauna and diet is critical. Avoid anti inflammatory foods -
I actually find infrared sauna less effective than Finnish sauna - don't ask me why though!
My health club has just been refurbished and has “upgraded” to an infrared sauna. I have not tried it yet though. I notice that all the hooks in the changing rooms are quite high and so if you have stiff arms they are not a good idea. I did mention it but as they have spent loadfuls of cash doing the place up I don’t think they were that interested.
Hi Constance.de,
I had PMR for about a year and a half and have been off Prednisone for almost 2 years now. I found when battling this disease that if I took ginger, temeric, and cinnamon capsules twice daily along with a hot sauna at least twice a week I felt much better. These spices are anti-inflammatory, plus eating inflation fighting foods I believe helped cure me. Google anti-inflamitory foods and they will give you a list. Good luck!
Sharon
Wow Sharon! “PMR for 1 & 1/2 years” - not many people get rid of this pesky illness in such a short time. I envy you! I’m now in my 6th year.😡
Constance, I believe that one of the things that helps is the anti inflammatory diet. How much it helps I do not know, but my wife and I have been on one for a little over a year and we both feel good and do not cheat. Plus I am getting my diabetes under control while still on Prednisone and she no longer has migraines. We are believers. Think about it, stay active, positive and try to smile. ☺️
I flared (although not too excruciatingly) when attempting to drop .5 mg. About ten months later I am not yet back to where I had been before that ill-advised effort! Obviously I'd reached the level I needed, PMR was not yet in true remission, and the lower dose was just enough to cause the inflammation to increase. And, as Eileen suggested at the time, it's possible the disease itself was also a bit more active for some reason. Always, always, always go by the symptoms, using judgement whether it's pred withdrawal or PMR activity, but err on the side of caution.
Anhaga, you are so right! Try to listen to your body, try to ID normal pain or PMR kicking up. If not sure up your dosage, see if that changes the symptoms. And go from there. When reducing, only if PMR pain free. I am still recovering from my bad flare of a year ago and currently at the Prednisone level where I had the flare. Needless to say I am very cautious, but staying active, positive with a smile. Think are the Turtle and the Hare. Last time I was the Hare, this time the Turtle. ☺️