What is Polymyalgia Rheumatica?

Polymyalgia rheumatica often occurs suddenly, causing pain and stiffness, generally in the shoulder and hip girdle, extending into the upper arms, thighs and the back of the legs.

PMR can occur in tandem with temporal arteritis, a condition that causes inflammation of the arteries on the temples, causing pain or headaches.

Polymyalgia rheumatica treatments include 10 to 20 milligrams of prednisone daily to get the inflammation under control, after which your dosage will be reduced.

Other PMR medications include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and analgesics like acetaminophen.

Polymyalgia rheumatica goes away in a few months or years in approximately half the people affected. In individuals who respond to treatment and are able to taper and discontinue treatment over time, there is a relapse rate approaching 30 to 40 percent over a lifetime.