Generally, PMR is not associated with serious complications; however, patients treated with corticosteroids are at risk for long-term complications of corticosteroid therapy.
What is the cause of polymyalgia?
The cause of polymyalgia rheumatica is unknown, but a combination of genetic and environmental factors is thought to be responsible. Polymyalgia rheumatica is an age-related condition. Most people diagnosed with it are over 70, and it’s very rare in people younger than 50. It’s also more common in women than men.
How is PMR diagnosed?
Diagnosis. There’s no specific test to diagnose polymyalgia rheumatica. Your doctor will make a diagnosis after listening to you talk about the history of your symptoms and by carrying out a physical examination. You’ll also have blood tests to check for any inflammation in your body, and to rule out other conditions.
What does polymyalgia pain feel like?
The most common symptom of polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is pain and stiffness in the shoulder muscles, which develops quickly over a few days or weeks. You may also have pain in your neck and hips. Both sides of the body are usually affected. The stiffness is often worse first thing in the morning after you wake up.
Is exercise good for polymyalgia?
If you have PMR, it’s important to make time for physical activity. You may need to avoid strenuous activities, but light exercise can help improve your symptoms and overall sense of well-being. Some exercises may also help you prevent side effects from medications you’re taking.
What is the best pain relief for polymyalgia?
Your doctor may recommend painkillers, such as paracetamol or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), to help relieve your pain and stiffness while your dose of prednisolone is reduced.
Does polymyalgia affect the heart?
Patients with polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) are at 2.5 times the risk for a vascular event than matched control patients, with the greatest risk occurring in patients younger than 60 years, according to a study published online July 28 in CMAJ.
Does polymyalgia show up in a blood test?
Tests. There’s no specific test for polymyalgia rheumatica, but it’s likely that a series of blood tests will be done. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) are blood tests that can be used to check the levels of inflammation in your body.
Does GCA shorten your life?
Our results indicate that a diagnosis of GCA is significantly associated with reduced 5-year survival. The survival rates for cases and controls converge at 11.12 years, suggesting that the adverse affect on survival is present only in the years immediately following diagnosis.
What happens if PMR is left untreated?
Left untreated, PMR can interfere with mobility, making it difficult to perform daily activities such as dressing, bathing, combing hair, standing up from a couch and getting in and out of a car. Raising the arms over the head can be especially difficult.
Does PMR ever go away?
With treatment, PMR symptoms usually lessen or go away within days. Without treatment, they may go away after a year but could take up to five years or more. Proper nutrition, activity, rest and following medication regimens are important for managing the condition.
What diseases can mimic PMR?
Some other illnesses that may be confused with polymyalgia rheumatica include:
- Rheumatoid arthritis.
- Infections.
- Inflammation of blood vessels (vasculitis)
- Chemical and hormonal abnormalities.
- A variety of muscle diseases.
- Cancer.
Does cold weather affect PMR?
Staying warm by wearing layers will help maintain your core body temperature, muscle flexibility, strength, endurance as well as reducing joint pain. A common complaint in the winter among most Skyline PMR patients when the weather starts turning cold in the months of November, December — “my joints are throbbing”.
Can polymyalgia cause bowel problems?
Conclusions. Patients with polymyalgia may have perforated colonic diverticular disease which mimics their rheumatic pathology. In such cases steroid therapy, which is the mainstay of polymyalgia therapy, can be detrimental.
Is polymyalgia rheumatica classed as a disability?
Although polymyalgia rheumatica is a long-term disease, it usually responds well to treatment and, unlike some other forms of rheumatism (diseases marked by inflammation and pain in the joints, muscles, or fibrous tissue) it does not cause any progressive disability or deformity.