Polymyalgia rheumatica
Polymyalgia rheumatica
Overview
Polymyalgia rheumatica is a condition that causes pain, stiffness and inflammation. This is mostly around the shoulders, neck and hips.
Common Symptoms
⚠️ This symptom list is for educational purposes. Having these symptoms does not mean you have this condition. See a doctor for proper diagnosis.
Medicines Commonly Used
⚠️ These medicines are commonly used for confirmed diagnoses of this condition. This is NOT a recommendation or prescription. Treatment must be determined by your doctor.
No medicines have been linked to this condition yet.
When to See a Doctor
Speak to your GP practice urgently or phone 111 if:
You have been diagnosed with polymyalgia rheumatic and you suddenly develop:
- a persistent and severe headache
- jaw pain or cramping in your jaw muscles which is worse when you’re eating
- pain in your tongue when chewing
If you have been diagnosed with polymyalgia rheumatica and you suddenly develop vision loss or changes in your vision, like double vision, contact an optician immediately or phone 111.
Causes
Polymyalgia rheumatica এর সঠিক কারণ এখনও জানা যায়নি। তবে জিনগত এবং পরিবেশগত কিছু বিষয় এতে ভূমিকা রাখতে পারে বলে মনে করা হয়।
বয়সের সঙ্গেও এই রোগের একটা সম্পর্ক আছে। যাদের মধ্যে এটি ধরা পড়ে, তাদের বেশিরভাগেরই বয়স ৭০ বছরের বেশি। ৫০ বছরের কম বয়সীদের মধ্যে এই রোগ হওয়া খুবই বিরল।
পুরুষদের তুলনায় নারীদের মধ্যে polymyalgia rheumatica বেশি দেখা যায়।
Diagnosis
Diagnosing polymyalgia rheumatica can take a while. You may need to go through several different tests, because its symptoms overlap with those of other health conditions, and these need to be ruled out first.
There is no single test that can confirm polymyalgia rheumatica on its own. However, you should have blood tests to check for signs such as inflammation before starting any corticosteroid treatment.
Your doctor may also arrange an X-ray or ultrasound scan to check the condition of your bones and joints.
Treatment
The main treatment for polymyalgia rheumatica is a steroid medicine called prednisolone, taken as a pill that your GP will prescribe.
Prednisolone works by blocking certain chemicals in the body that cause inflammation.
You will start on a higher dose of prednisolone, and this will be lowered slowly over time. It usually takes about a year to bring the dose down fully.
Other medicines
Sometimes other medicines are prescribed alongside the steroid. This can help prevent relapses, or it may allow your dose of prednisolone to be lowered sooner. These additional medicines are usually added by rheumatology doctors, and include a weekly dose of methotrexate or a daily dose of leflunomide.
Painkillers may also be recommended, and these can help if you also have arthritis or long-term pain.
Taking steroids for a long time carries certain side effects, so your doctor or specialist may also prescribe medicine to protect your bones, such as calcium and vitamin D supplements and bisphosphonates. You may also be given proton pump inhibitors, known as PPIs, to protect your stomach.
Complications
Living with polymyalgia rheumatica
If you have been diagnosed with polymyalgia rheumatica, you will need to have regular appointments at your GP practice. They will check:
- how well you’re responding to treatment
- whether your dose of prednisolone needs to be adjusted
- how well you’re coping with the side effects of the medication
You will also have blood tests at these appointments.
You will usually have a follow-up appointment within a week of starting your steroid treatment. This is to check how you are responding to them. You’ll then have checks regularly to make sure the inflammation levels in your blood are normal while the steroids are being gradually reduced.
You should speak to your GP practice if your symptoms return during any part of your treatment. This is because the dosage of your medication may need to be adjusted. Your GP may refer you to a rheumatologist.
Further information and support
You can find other sources of information and support with polymyalgia rheumatica at:
- PMR-GCA Scotland
- Arthritis UK
- Royal Osteoporosis Society
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