Health
Topics
Polymyalgia
Rheumatica
Polymyalgia
Rheumatica is
a condition of the middle-aged and elderly.
What are the symptoms
of Polymyalgia Rheumatica?
Ø
Pain
and stiffness in the neck, shoulder and pelvic girdles
Ø
Low
grade fever, fatigue and weight loss
Ø
Elevation
of ESR (a quick blood test your GP can do in his surgery)
Ø
Dramatic
response to small doses of Prednisolone (a cortico-steroid)
How
would Polymyalgia Rheumatica affect me?
The onset is commonest in the neck and shoulder region with symmetrical
involvement of the shoulder and pelvic girdles.
Stiffness is often the predominant feature, severe after rest and very
much worse first thing in the morning. The
muscle pain is often diffuse and movement aggravates the pain
How
is Polymyalgia Rheumatica treated?
High doses of Prednisolone tailing off over several months.
Sometimes it is necessary to stay on a very small dose of steroid for
many months or even years to prevent a recurrence.
Is
Polymyalgia Rheumatica fatal?
No.
Will
I be crippled by Polymyalgia Rheumatica?
No.
Return to Health
Topics