Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) causes symptoms similar to those of several other conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and fibromyalgia. For this reason, doctors can misdiagnose it.
Can you have lupus and polymyalgia rheumatica?
18 The cases we describe, together with those described by Foad, suggest that the syndrome of polymyalgia rheumatica may also be associated with the development of systemic lupus erythematosus. Two of the cases show that a polymyalgia rheumatica-like syndrome may be obscuring an underlying myositis.
How do I know if I have lupus or rheumatoid arthritis?
The Role of Blood Tests The most basic test is the antinuclear antibodies (ANA) test. People with lupus are almost always positive for ANA; however, people with RA sometimes test positive as well, as do some healthy people.
What happens when you have polymyalgia rheumatica?
Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is a condition that causes pain, stiffness and inflammation in the muscles around the shoulders, neck and hips. The main symptom is muscle stiffness in the morning that lasts longer than 45 minutes. It may also cause other symptoms, including: high temperature (fever) and sweating.
Is polymyalgia the same as lupus Related Questions
What causes polymyalgia to flare up?
An environmental exposure. New cases of polymyalgia rheumatica tend to come in cycles, possibly developing seasonally. This suggests that an environmental trigger, such as a virus, might play a role. But no specific virus has been shown to cause polymyalgia rheumatica.
What triggers polymyalgia rheumatica?
The cause of polymyalgia rheumatica is unknown, but a combination of genetic and environmental factors is thought to be responsible. Polymyalgia rheumatica is an age-related condition. Most people diagnosed with it are over 65, and it’s very rare in people younger than 50. It’s also more common in women than men.
What does the pain of polymyalgia feel like?
Polymyalgia rheumatica causes muscle pain and stiffness in the shoulders, upper arms, hip area, and sometimes the neck. The ache and stiffness are usually worse in the morning or when you have not been moving for a while. They can sometimes be very debilitating and tend to improve with activity.
Does polymyalgia show up in a blood test?
There’s no specific test for polymyalgia rheumatica, but it’s likely that a series of blood tests will be done. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) are blood tests that can be used to check the levels of inflammation in your body.
Is polymyalgia rheumatica a real disease?
Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is a unique disease of elderly people, traditionally diagnosed based on a clinical picture. A typical case is a combination of severe musculoskeletal symptoms and systemic inflammatory response with spectacular response to corticosteroids treatment.
How do you confirm lupus?
Your doctor will look for rashes and other signs that something is wrong. Blood and urine tests. The antinuclear antibody (ANA) test can show if your immune system is more likely to make the autoantibodies of lupus. Most people with lupus test positive for ANA.
What does lupus get mistaken for?
It can be mistaken for psoriasis or eczema. The rash heals without causing scars, but it can leave areas of lighter skin.
What disease can be mistaken for lupus?
Rheumatoid arthritis. Rosacea and other skin rashes. Dermatomyositis. Undifferentiated Connective Tissue Disease. Hashimoto’s disease. Sj√∂gren’s syndrome. Fibromyalgia.
Do you ever get rid of polymyalgia rheumatica?
For most people, PMR goes away with treatment after 1 to 2 years. You might be able to stop taking medicines after this point, but check with your provider first. For some people, symptoms return after they reduce or stop taking corticosteroids.
What is the best way to treat polymyalgia?
Steroid medicine is the main treatment for polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR). A type of steroid called prednisolone is usually prescribed.
What foods make polymyalgia worse?
refined carbohydrates, such as white bread or white rice. fried foods, such as french fries. sugary drinks. processed meats, such as salami or hotdogs. red meat. margarine. foods with added sugar. alcohol.
Is polymyalgia serious?
PMR may last from one to five years; however, it varies from person to person. Approximately 15 percent of people with PMR develop a potentially dangerous condition called giant cell arteritis.
Can you live a normal life with polymyalgia rheumatica?
People with PMR typically respond well to treatment, and most eventually recover entirely from the disease within one to five years. With appropriate treatment and regular follow-up care, individuals with PMR, and even those who develop GCA, can experience a full and productive life.
What is life expectancy with polymyalgia?
What Is the Life Expectancy for Polymyalgia Rheumatica? Polymyalgia rheumatica is usually self-limited and lasts months to a few years. If the condition is diagnosed and treated promptly and appropriately, patients have a normal life expectancy.
What can make polymyalgia rheumatica worse?
Keeping active. If you have polymyalgia rheumatica, you’ll need to find the right balance between rest and activity. Too much exercise is likely to make your symptoms worse, but activity usually helps to ease pain and stiffness in the muscles of the shoulders, hips and thighs.
Does vitamin D help polymyalgia rheumatica?
medwireNews: Findings from the VITAL trial suggest that vitamin D supplementation, with or without omega-3 fatty acids, may warrant further investigation as a strategy to reduce the risk for autoimmune diseases including rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR).