Polymyalgia Rheumatica – A Painful Reality

If you suffer from Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR), or know of someone who does, you won’t be surprised to learn there is often initial confusion about just what is behind its symptoms. That’s because PMR can mimic aspects of several other health issues. So much so, that although receiving a diagnosis can be daunting, it can also be something of a relief to finally find out just what it is causing so much distress.

PMR is a form of inflammatory arthritis which most commonly affects people over the age of 50, and becomes more common as people age. Women experience PMR more often than men, and Caucasians are more likely to suffer from it than those of other ethnicities or racial groups. As with other inflammatory conditions, PMR causes muscle and joint pain, most commonly in the shoulders, hips and thighs, often waking sufferers from their sleep. Not surprisingly, ‘polymyalgia’ means ‘many muscle pains’, yet pain isn’t the only challenge PMR presents. As well as causing aches and stiffness ranging from moderate to severe, PMR can also be associated with feelings of fatigue, a general ‘unwell’ feeling, slight fever, and weight-loss. Sufferers can find themselves feeling anxious and depressed. Alarmingly, the arrival of PMR can be sudden (sometimes overnight, and with symptoms worse in the morning) but can also manifest over a period of days or weeks.

To complicate matters, PMR can be difficult to diagnose, and once it has been, and treatment has begun, the diagnosis can change. Further down the track, for example, what was thought to have been PMR, can turn out to be rheumatoid arthritis. Diagnosis for PMR can, among other things, involve blood tests, ultrasound (to check for inflammation of joints and soft tissue), and MRI and PET scans. A health professional will also keep a watch for signs of giant cell arteritis (which can present as jaw pain, vision disturbance or loss, persistent headaches, and tender scalp).

Although it can be a serious blow to be diagnosed with PMR, medication can help alleviate symptoms. In fact, low-dose corticosteroids (also known as ‘steroids’), such as prednisone, can provide swift relief, often alleviating symptoms within just a day or two. Just how quickly patients improve once they begin this treatment, can help confirm a diagnosis of PMR. Steroids bring with them several potential risks, including osteoporosis, high blood pressure, and increased blood sugar. For this reason, your medical professional will work with you to eventually reduce your long-term use of steroids to a minimum.

As with all health conditions, it’s good to know if you suffer from PMR, there are various ways in which you can help yourself. These include learning how to manage your day to make regular activities easier, and how to break up these activities with periods of rest.  Lifestyle changes for PMR sufferers may also include exercise (talk to your health professional about what is best for you), relaxation techniques that reduce muscle tension and stress, and nutrition (ask your GP for advice on how to counter the calcium-sapping effects of steroids). If you have been diagnosed with PMR, it can also be helpful to do your own reading on the subject, and one of the best places to go for information is Arthritis NZ.

Any health issue can be challenging, but understanding your condition, and how you can best help yourself, alongside professional treatment, can give you a sense of control in otherwise stormy seas.