Polymyalgia Rheumatica Treatment in Panama City, FL

Polymyalgia rheumatica, or PMR, is an inflammatory disease. It causes pain and stiffness in the shoulders, neck and hips. It mostly affects people over 60. Our rheumatologists diagnose and treat PMR every day.

The pain and stiffness of PMR often start quite suddenly. They are worse in the morning and get better during the day. Some people have trouble getting out of bed. Shoulder pain can also make it hard to comb your hair or brush your teeth.

PMR and Giant Cell Arteritis

About 15 out of 100 people with PMR also get a disorder called giant cell arteritis. Doctors also call it temporal arteritis. It can cause a bad headache on the side of the head, near the temple. In addition, it can cause a sore scalp, jaw pain when you talk or chew, and blindness. If you have PMR and notice any change in your vision, call your doctor right away. Blindness from this disorder can be permanent.

Common Symptoms

• Pain and stiffness in the neck, shoulders and hips
• Feeling very tired
• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss
• Anemia (low red blood cells)

Polymyalgia Rheumatica Treatment

We treat PMR with steroid pills. Most studies show that people take prednisone for about 18 months. For most people, the disease goes away within 1 to 2 years. However, it comes back for a small number of people. So we prescribe the lowest dose of prednisone that controls your symptoms. Then we lower it slowly, step by step, so the disease does not return.