Polymyalgia rheumatica is often shortened to 'PMR'. PMR is a rheumatic condition in which you have many (poly) painful muscles (myalgia) and joints (rheumatica). The cause is unknown and thankfully the condition is easily treated and is not life threatening.

Symptoms

The main symptom is one of stiffness and pain of the joints, especially around the shoulder and thighs. The pain can be so bad it might wake you at night and you might find it difficult to get out of bed. Climbing stairs can be very difficult and people can often only manage one step at a time or even have to crawl upstairs.

It is also common to feel vaguely unwell, or even run a slight fever. You may well find that you lose some weight, and people with PMR often feel low or may even be depressed.

You may have painful inflammation of the blood vessels (arteries) of the skull and side of your head. This can cause severe headaches and pain in the muscles of the head. This is called temporal arteritis - the temples are often tender to the touch and chewing may cause some pain in the side of your face. Temporal arteritis is also sometimes known as 'giant cell arteritis'. It is very important to be aware that with temporal arteritis there is a risk of damage to the arteries of the eye. If treated at the right time, this damage can be prevented by steroids, which in such cases are usually given in higher doses than for PMR alone. You should report any pain or swelling in the scalp to your doctor immediately, especially if you have problems with your eyes such as blurring or double vision.

Treatment

Steroids are very effective in PMR. Your body makes its own steroids in the adrenal glands. Steroids are an important part of your body's chemistry, and they help to keep you healthy. They carry out many daily functions such as maintaining blood pressure and balancing salt and water in the body.

Recommended web sites

Polymyalgia rheumatica