I have been on prednisone for the past 3 months after having been diagnosed with PMR. In order to be spared the long-term side-effects of prednisone, I am supplementing with CBD oil.
Has anyone out there used CBD oil and can share outcomes? THANKS!
Diagnosed with PMR: Prednisone & CBD Oil, Can you share outcomes?
Question posted by Ellen Drewes on 8 March 2017
Last updated on 18 May 2020 by chicagopd
16 Answers
chicagopd
18 May 2020
I’m age 67 and was diagnosed with PMR in January by my Rheumatologist and I reluctantly started taking 10mg daily. I felt pain free in my neck and shoulders within 7-8 days.
Tapering off started a month later. At 5mg/0mg alternating days the pain returned 2 weeks later with other side effects including escalated BP. I’m now on 1.25mg/2.5mg alternating days. I’ve been using 50mg CBD gelcaps at night for insomnia and made a decision to take it twice daily for inflammation. When my prednisone gets lowered again next week, I just want to prepare my body by taking more CBD oil. I don’t want up my prednisone dose and want to get off of it.
Pamelaholland
24 July 2019
I began CBD oil 4 months after diagnosis and have found it helpful with pain and anxiety.
Joyceport
23 July 2019
Tried this for a few months at various doses, in various forms:cream, oil drops in mouth, and vaping. The results were nothing, just an irritated throat from the vapor and a lot less money in my pocket. Maybe it works for some people and not for others.
Sandyscott208
22 July 2019
I was diagnosed with PMR about a year ago and began on 20 mg of prednisone. Did very well until I got down to about 12 mg. I can’t get under that without my symptoms flaring up. My rheumatologist said some people never get off it completely, but if I can get it down to five or less, it’s something that should not pose a problem with the really bad side effects of prednisone. I decided I would try CBD oil, and he asked me to track my results and let him know how I’m doing on it.
I started on very low doses of CBD in the middle of March. With no noticeable improvement, I slowly increased the amount. May 19 I was up to 100 mg twice a day. No success. Two weeks at this dosage and no effect. June 2 I started 350 mg a day. Still nothing! As others have written, it is very expensive and I would think, at this high dosage, I would’ve had some benefit!
I know many people diagnosed with this have pain. For me it’s just extreme, physically limiting stiffness and tightness in the knees, thighs, hips and low back. (Thank God I don’t have it in my shoulders as many do.) Pain relief, I believe, is a little easier to assess than stiffness, but certainly, by now, I should’ve noticed something! Perhaps it doesn’t work on inflammation from an autoimmune disease that attacks your connective tissue? I’m at my wits’ end because I want to get off this dangerous medicine or get it down to a very small dosage. Was hoping CBD could help me do that.
konakitty33
24 June 2019
I have PMR and have been on prednisone for a year now. Have gotten down to 6mg but some pain coming back. Got some CBD oil with THC and started it today . I would like to know the amount of CBD oil I should be taking
LJC298
2 June 2019
I have used CBD oil with my PMR. It isn't strong enough to take the pain away, but I found that it reduces the anxiety and depression that comes from this painful disease. I believe the more we struggle with symptoms of this disease, the more anxiety we feel. Hope this helps. Linda
Barbie4711
11 May 2019
I am a 70 year old woman. I was diagnosed with PMR. The doctor wanted me to go on prednisone, but I had had several health issues prior to this time, and did not want to do that and risk all the side effects. I tried CBD oil I have been using it for a couple weeks now. I am finally getting my dosage down. I am feeling pretty good. I still have some pain on movement, but I am able to get out of bed in the morning by myself get stretched out and actually function during the day. Of course I still get very tired. I feel the CBD is a much better alternative to the prednisone. I can stand a little pain as long as I can get around. I hope this helps.. I usually take one Advil a day also. I take it in the morning. This seems to help also
vivelajoie
6 March 2019
I don't have your disease but I have COP and taking Prednisone.
Here, in Canada, at least in the province of Quebec, doctors are told NOT to prescribe cannabis.
So I had to get my medical prescription from somewhere else...
I'm on 75mg/day of Prednisone. At the same time, I'm taking 3x20mg CBD oil per day.
Which, according to some US doctors like Dr Philip Blair (you can look him up on YouTube) is not enough. He recommends 1mg/kg of body weight. My weight is 75kg so I should be taking more? But CBD oil is not cheap in Canada. I pay $90 for a bottle of 40 ml which gives me the equivalent of 800mg of CBD. My insurance cannot cover cannabis.
At any rate, last year, my pneumologist made me take 50mg/day of Prednisone for a month, and a decreasing dose to combat my COP but it wasn't effective. This year, after a surgery biopsy which confirmed my diagnosis, my pneumologist has decided to increase the dose to 75mg/day of Prednisone. Usually, Prednisone works on COPs but, for some reason, in my case, it does not seem to work?
So, I'm bracing for positive results in a month for now.
In the meantime, I decided to go for CBD.
Sadly, before staring Prednisone, two weeks prior, I started on a 20mg/day caplet CBD which did not bring me any improvements in my situation. But then I stumbled on Dr Blair's videos and that's when I decided to bump my daily dose to an affordable 3 x 20mg/day.
I have now been doing this for more than a week and feeling "different"?
I'm still stuck with shortness of breath but the usual prednisone symptoms seem "lessened"?
Like, blurred vision. It's as tough I can almost read the small characters on me cell phone now!
Which I noticed a few days ago. It's remarkable because it's is a known side effect of Prednisone, according to my pneumologist, that it changes de lens curvature?
The other side effect that I feel is lessened by the dose of CBD is the tingling in the lips.
Last year, I distinctly remember that Prednisone was the cause of this "constant and somewhat unpleasant" tingling, as tough it itched, in my lips. With CBD, now, I don't feel that tingling as strongly? Maybe it is mitigated by the action of the CBD?
The last side effect I'm noticing is "eating". Last year, I remember I could not stop eating! My appetite was through the roof and I gained ten pounds in a matter of months. Lucky I lost it all back after tapering off Prednisine but, now, I'm afraid I could gain all that weight back again? But CBD seems to have an effect on NOT raising my appetite!
Hopefully, CBD will effectively help reduce the inflammation in my lung.
I'm also eating what's called "Budwig Cream" daily.
I think it's a good idea to consume a daily boost of Omega-3 in the form of Flaxseed oil mixed with Cottage cheese -- it can't hurt.
I stumble on a video on YouTube from a guy who said that, according to the research he seen, we ought to take something like 2000mg of CBD a day, to really make a difference. But, as he noted, it would be prohibitive. I wish I could experiment with higher dose of CBD with my ailment but, unless I win the lotto, that's all I can afford for now.
I'll try to follow up :-)
Promdate
21 Dec 2018
Responding due to questions raised about CBD oil. I use no prednisone for my all over arthritis, worse in my feet to the point of extreme stiffness after sitting for a short while even and constant pain. By chance I put some HempZ moisturizer on my feet one day and now use it at bedtime and first thing in the morning on my feet. Not a cure, but no drug taking, just rub this in and it reduces the pain/stiffness for me. HempZ is made w/hemp seed and for now, I would rather use that and not take any drugs. I cannot take my 800 mg Motrin/ibuprofen x 3 per day anymore as even on half that amount I bruise for no reason at all and worry about my liver after all these years on that. Best of luck to you!
Melvynl
12 Dec 2018
I am in a similar situation and want to know if CBD is an alternative , and at what dosage
Promdate
21 Dec 2018
Responding due to questions raised about CBD oil. I use no prednisone for my all over arthritis, worse in my feet to the point of extreme stiffness after sitting for a short while even and constant pain. By chance I put some HempZ moisturizer on my feet one day and now use it at bedtime and first thing in the morning on my feet. Not a cure, but no drug taking, just rub this in and it reduces the pain/stiffness for me. HempZ is made w/hemp seed and for now, I would rather use that and not take any drugs. I cannot take my 800 mg Motrin/ibuprofen x 3 per day anymore as even on half that amount I bruise for no reason at all and worry about my liver after all these years on that. Best of luck to you!
Jklmnop
15 Nov 2018
Male 64. So glad to find this current thread. Suffering since 2006. Tried all homeopathic treatment. IV’s as well and chelations weekly also for 2.5 years. Then all of a sudden in October 2012 I couldn’t get out of bed and barely could roll over for several days. Went to g p who thank God put me on a prednisone pak even though blood work showed no reason to. 24 hours later I’m up and doing well. I’ve been on 5 mg. Ever since the pak. Still taking it and rheumatologist believes I can stay on as long as needed at that dose. I haven’t tried dosing down but may someday. Yes I bruise and arms bleed longer from garden scratches but it’s worth it. I take Tylenol once daily for arthritis pain and sometimes take hydrocodone but that’s for osteoarthritis which I believe Is inherited not from prednisone as I’ve had it well before. Plan on trying adrenal support as I see it’s helping others with fibromyalgia and hopefully with pmr.
oliviaphillips
26 July 2018
I am 77 years old. I was diagnosed with PMR four months ago after suffering for several years. Pcp prescribed initial dose of 20 mg day Prednisone and got relief almost immediately. I had been using a walker and needed help dressing and getting in and out of the car. After Prednisone I feel like I am fifty again. Pcp told me to try weaning off and 5 mg less per day level 10 pain returns so staying on 20 mg day. Starting to have blurred vision and tingling and numbness in feet now. Talked to pharmacist about using cbd oil so I can get off Prednisone. Will discuss next week with my PCP. When reducing Prednisone, pharmacist recommends starting 10 mg CBD a day together with 600 mg per day acetyl glutathione and 5 mg per day DHEA. Increase CBD by 10 mg a day every 7 days until pain gone.
victoriapitt22
6 Sep 2018
Hi there. It is just heart breaking to hear you suffered unneccessarily for so long!!
I'm only 35 and about 2 years ago I was struck with severe inflammation. It started in my hands and they kept telling me it was Carpal Tunnel Syndrom (which I knew it wasn't) because it progressed so severly that my hands became locked in place and then all my other joints became inflammed and I could barely walk. I went from 33 to 89 in a matter of weeks.
Fortunately I got a doctor to let me try prednisone and just like you, I was back to new within 2 days. Unfortunately, nearly 2 years later and I am having trouble getting off the prednisone. I'm only taking 5mg daily, which is much lower than the 20 mg I started with. But my symtpoms return when I try to get off of it. I'm also trying CBD oil to see if it will help with pain and inflammation. It's been about 2 weeks. It helps a little but I don't think it's going to be a good long term solution.
I'm experiencing pain and tingling. (And side note, I'm also taking 150 mg of Plaquenil daily). After many blood tests, second opinions and multiple specialists, I have no diagnosis.
Anyway it's a love hate relationship with the prednisone. I would be using a walker too without it! But with it, I'm 100% pain free and able to do athletic activities with ease. It's scary to think of the long term side affects. And with no diagnosis, I'm at the mercy of the pill...
kk528
7 Oct 2018
I am commenting in response to victoriapitt. I see that you are young and finding results with prednisone. I am just a bit older than you, 40, and have been on prednisone for most of my life. I want to encourage you to keep researching alternative ways to treat your illness. I know that dealing with limitations is difficult. Just please be informed about the effects of being on corticosteroids long-term. May you find health, happiness and peace.
Dollydeer
31 Oct 2017
Hello Ellen... I’ve been taking CBD oil for several months for pain. Although I don’t have the blood markers for PMR I have all the symptoms. My doc has decided to try prednisone to see if that will help and hopefully lead to a diagnosis. I start on prednisone tomorrow. I was interested to read your comment and wondered if being on CBD oil would help and possibly lessen the time needed to be on prednisone. I would be very interested in hearing how you are managing and if you feel the cannabis is a good companion for prednisone.
BugsysMom
30 March 2017
I was diagnosed with PMR last year. I've been through large amounts of prednisone, methotrexate shots and some other pills. Of course the prednisone made me feel better for a little while and then the side effects took over. I just started using CBD about 6 weeks ago. They started me on 50mg CBD 3xDay with 25mg of THC 3xDay. I was feeling pretty good. Not 100% though. I started having a flare up this week and am fighting not taking prednisone. I upped my CBD 2-3 x as much to see if I'm wasting my time with it. At times I was completely pain and symptom free. I see the doc tomorrow so I'll see what he has to say about dosing.
adnoira
8 March 2017
Hi Ellen welcome to the club. No I never used CBD just prednisone and added Prolia twice a year, is an injection for osteoporosis or its prevention. Has worked very well and with time I have lowered my prednisone from 55mg to 5 mg and combined with tramadol(Ultracet) and Celebrex. Been using for 4 years now, no side effects except the bone problems. I fractured 3 ribs coughing on the first year so my doc gave me Prolia and worked well. My bone density went from red to green. Hope this helps. Right now I take one 5mg prednisone + one tramadol(ultracet) and if it rains and very humid I take one celebrex because the pain becomes worst with humidity high. This I take in the morning after breakfast. If its a hot day I only take the tramadol and the prednisone.
imanaussie lily
21 Dec 2018
Thank you Ellen for your post. I learned more about medications from it.
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polymyalgia rheumatica, prednisone, cannabidiol
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