What is PMR – Polymyalgia Rheumatica

Around the world today Arthritis of many kinds is suffered by millions. Arthritis variations number in excess of 100, although there are a handful that are extremely common. Amongst the rarer variations is a disease called Polymyalgia Rheumatica(PMR), a variation that is unique because it affects the muscles as opposed to the bones. And it is as poorly understood as it is rare, causing uncomfortable pain in people aged mainly over 50 years of age

At a ratio of 2 to 1, it affects women more than men, and is predominantly an affliction of the western world. Its a syndrome that was first recognized and named Senile Rheumatic Gout, more than 100 years ago. Confirming the lack of ready information on the disease, it was known my many names until 1957. At this point it was discovered to have a link to Giant Cell Arteritis(GCA) also known as Temporal Arteritis.

This revelation permitted the discovery that PMR was much more common than was first envisaged, and the connection between the two diseases was further enhanced by the discovery that each disorder only occurred in the absence of the other. Prevalent symptoms of PMR are known to be synonymous with the the following; aching and stiffness around the upper arms, lower back, and thighs. Surprisingly, symptoms can arise overnight, although in most cases it manifests over several days, and even up to a few weeks. Symptoms are felt on both sides of the body, and there is no variation by left or right sides.

It is common that the ability to raise arms above the shoulder is severely impaired. Mornings are a particularly tough time, when aching and stiffness are prominent and usually at there worse. Periods of inactivity will also create similar problems, although as the day progress’s the aching improves gradually. In some cases there is quite severe pain at night. Usually manual activity is a struggle but more so as you first arise from sleep, or arise from a sitting position. And Occasionally aching will occur in distal joints – the hands and wrists.