Hi Hilary,

I'm posting my response to the list as I often learn a lot from 
discussions here.

Conventional treatment for  polymyalgia rheumatica is steroids, so it is 
clear that
this condition is autoimmune. While I agree that autoimmunity is very 
frequently
the result of dietary factors, I have not seen convincing evidence that 
fructose is
a major factor in autoimmunity. (I'm open to being shown the error of my 
ways
on this topic. I just haven't seen the evidence.)

I believe that a more productive approach to this condition might  be an 
elimination
diet, beginning with a one day fast. Fasting has shown positive results 
in polymyalgia
rheumatica (1). For obvious reasons, it is a poor long-term solution. 
Following the fast,
I would suggest a ketogenic diet, dominated by fat, adding one low glycemic
vegetable each morning, on an empty stomach, to see if there is any 
reaction. If pain
returns, I would suggest a period of at least three days without adding 
any new
foods - longer if pain persists.

Although I have only found scant evidence to support it, my suspicion is 
that blood
glucose may also be a factor in polymyalgia rheumatica. My suspicion is 
based, in
part, on the improvements reported from fasting in one anecdotal report 
(1). I could
only read the abstract, as the remainder of the article is in German.

Molecular mimicry in response to an infectious agent is only (in my 
opinion) likely
when the infection is chronic. For instance, when bacterial infectious 
agents are
effectively responded to by the immune system, all that usually remains 
in the body
is the memory cells. On the other hand, with viral and other agents 
(prions, etc.)
where there are remnants of the disease that appear to be permanently 
with us,
molecular mimicry seems likely, and may even be part of the dynamic by 
which
these agents manifest in illness.

1. Stange R, Pflugbeil C. Fasting as part of a naturopathic treatment 
approach for polymyalgia rheumatica.
Forsch Komplementmed. 2007 Aug;14(4):235-9.

best wishes,
Ron