Polymyalgia rheumatica is a well-defined syndrome and is quite common. It generally affects those 50 years of age and over. It will affect more women than men, in a ratio of 4:1. The causative factors are unknown. The onset can be sudden and devastatingly painful, or it can come on gradually with minor discomfort that makes the patient feel as if something is not right.
At first, at the onset of polymyalgia rheumatica the patient may feel an ache and stiffness of the muscles in the neck, shoulders, back and pelvic girdle, and the temporal area of the head. The muscles of these areas are affected on both sides. Getting out of bed in the morning can prove to be very difficult due to the stiffness of these muscle groups. Some patients may exhibit a fever at times.
Individuals with this syndrome may have a loss of appetite, with concomitant weight loss. They feel extremely tired and display a feeling of apathy. Normal everyday activities can become a gigantic chore to do. The muscles, although stiff and painful, do not become atrophied, or show negative changes in their physiology, or any negative pathology.
Very often those individuals that have polymyalgia rheumatica, will have another serious condition that causes pain in the temporal areas. This condition is called “Temporal Artertis”, or “Polyarteritis” When this occurs, the medium-sized muscular arteries become inflamed. Although polymyalgia rheumatica is not a life threatening disease, polyarteritis can be and must be taken very seriously. The individual suffering from polyarteritis may suffer with severe headaches. A more serious side affect can be irreversible blindness.
Any individual displaying any of the above symptoms must seek the advice of their healthcare provider. They will of course undergo the necessary tests so that a definitive diagnosis can be made, and the proper treatment started. Waiting too long can cause serious consequences. Among the various blood tests that will be performed, the one that can prove to be most helpful is the sedimentation rate. This test is also known as the sedrate. If the patient also displays the pain and headaches of possible temporal arteritis, it would be advisable to see an ophthalmologist as well. Another of the blood tests performed is called ESR. There can of course be other tests depending on the course of the condition. The patient exhibiting symptoms of temporal arteritis may require an arterial biopsy in order to have a definitive diagnosis. This condition often affects those 40 to 50 years of age, but can affect other age groups as well. It will also affect men more than women on a 3:1 ratio.
Polymyalgia rheumatica as well as temporal arteritis are generally treated with corticosteroids. The patient with temporal arteritis will usually be started on cortisone (prednisone) immediately on a daily basis, and will only be reduced when symptoms subside. Patients, who have polymyalgia and do not exhibit symptoms of temporal arteritis, will usually be treated with other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS).
Anyone affected with polymyalgia rheumatica and possibly temporal arteritis, may be able to find relief from the pain and discomfort, and should not depend on drugs alone to find this relief. There are several things they can do to make themselves more comfortable and possibly get off the drugs sooner.
It is most important that the patient gets enough rest so the body is not overtaxed, and the involved muscles will be able to relax. Hot showers can be extremely helpful to relax the muscles and relieve the pain. A heating pad used 3 to 4 times on the affected painful muscles can also be very beneficial. Using a good analgesic gel on the painful areas, 3 to 4 times daily can help control the pain.
What is most important is that the individual recognize the seriousness of their symptoms and do something about it, first, by seeking help from their healthcare provider, and, second, by following his/her advice. Following the above advice for self-help can help shorten the course of this condition. Above all these symptoms should not be ignored, and they should not feel that this is something that will eventually go away by itself. This type of thinking can prove to be very serious in it’s ramifications.