Polymyalgia Rheumatica -An inflammatory condition which is characterised by severe
bilateral pain and morning stiffness of the shoulder, neck and pelvic girdle.
Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is a condition which causes inflammation of large muscles.
'Poly' means many, and 'myalgia' means muscle pain. The cause of PMR is not known.
There is some controversy as to whether or not PMR represents a form of giant cell
arteritis (GCA).
Affects women more than men - 3:1
The most common symptoms:
Stiffness, pain, aching, and tenderness of the large muscles around the shoulders
and upper arms. Quite commonly the muscles around the neck and hips are also affected.
Inflammation and swelling sometimes occur in other 'soft tissues' of the body. For
example, tendons may become inflamed (tenosynovitis), your hands or feet may become
slightly swollen, and some joints may become slightly swollen.
Other general symptoms may also occur. These include: tiredness, depression, night
sweats, fever, loss of appetite, and weight loss.
