Overview
Polymyalgia rheumatica is a rheumatic disorder that is associated with moderate to severe muscle pain and stiffness in the neck shoulder and hip area. Stiffness is most noticeable in the morning. This disorder may develop rapidly--in some patients overnight. In others it comes on more gradually. Polymyalgia rheumatica is more common in people over the age of 50 and affects women more than men. Symptoms
Polymyalgia Rheumatica has a variety of symptoms including some which mimic the flu. You may experience any of the following: - anemia
- loss of appetite
- low grade fever
- morning muscle stiffness and pain usually in the neck shoulders and hips
- redness swelling tenderness and pulsating along the temporal artery on one side of the head
- throbbing headache usually in one temple
Causes
The underlying cause of polymyalgia rheumatica is unknown. However it is closely related to an autoimmune disorder called giant cell arteritis (aka temporal or cranial arteritis) wherein the body's own immune system turns on itself attacking and destroying body tissue. A person may develop giant cell arteritis either at the same time as polymyalgia rheumatica or after the polymyalgia symptoms disappear. People with polymyalgia rheumatica often have other disorders that can trigger the disease. If high blood pressure heart disease and decreased blood pressure to the bowel are also present then they must also be treated.
Treatment
Polymyalgia rheumatica may go away without treatment over the course of a year or two. With treatment symptoms are quickly brought under control usually in one or two days. The treatment of choice is corticosteroid medication usually prednisone. Polymyalgia rheumatica responds to a low daily dose of prednisone. The dose is increased as needed until symptoms disappear. Once symptoms disappear the doctor may gradually reduce the dosage to determine the lowest amount needed to alleviate symptoms. The amount of time that treatment is needed is different for each patient. Most patients can discontinue medication after 6 months to 2 years. If symptoms recur prednisone treatment is required again. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin and ibuprofen also may be used to ease the pain associated with polymyalgia rheumatica. The medication must be taken daily and long-term use may cause stomach irritation. For most patients NSAIDs alone are not enough to relieve symptoms. |
