What is life expectancy with polymyalgia?

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.

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Does polymyalgia affect life expectancy?

The present study demonstrates that a diagnosis of PMR does not have a significant impact on life expectancy.

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How long can you live with polymyalgia rheumatica?

Outlook. 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.

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Do you ever get over polymyalgia?

Outlook (Prognosis) 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.

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How serious is polymyalgia?

Up to 1 in 5 people with polymyalgia rheumatica develop a more serious condition called temporal arteritis (also known as giant cell arteritis), where the arteries in the head and neck become inflamed.

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Living well with Polymyalgia Rheumatica

20 related questions found

What are the worst symptoms of polymyalgia?

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.

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What aggravates polymyalgia?

Foods linked to increased inflammation include: refined carbohydrates, such as white bread or white rice. fried foods, such as french fries. sugary drinks.

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What foods make polymyalgia worse?

Since the main symptom of polymyalgia rheumatica is inflammation, it is extremely important to avoid foods that could worsen that. Foods that have been known to cause inflammation include fried foods, refined carbohydrates (like white bread), processed meat, and alcohol.

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Does walking help polymyalgia rheumatica?

Being sedentary can make PMR stiffness worse. Physical activities and hobbies such as gardening, swimming or just taking a walk in the park are a great way to keep you active. It is good to rotate activities in order to avoid the same set of muscle and joints from getting over fatigued.

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How long can you take steroids for polymyalgia?

Although your symptoms should improve within a few days of starting treatment, you'll probably need to continue taking a low dose of prednisolone for about 2 years. Polymyalgia rheumatica often improves on its own after this time. However, there's a chance it will return after treatment stops.

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Can polymyalgia be permanent?

The symptoms associated with polymyalgia rheumatica often disappear for periods of time (remission) and then reappear (exacerbation). These episodes may continue for about six months or up to six years. However, severe impairment or permanent disability, even after months or years, is rare.

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What is the typical age for polymyalgia rheumatica?

EPIDEMIOLOGY — Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is almost exclusively a disease of adults over the age of 50, with a prevalence that increases progressively with advancing age. The peak incidence of PMR occurs between ages 70 and 80 [1]. PMR is relatively common.

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Does stress make polymyalgia worse?

Inflammatory conditions such as PMR can result or flare up from excessive stress.

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Does polymyalgia affect the heart?

The chronic inflammatory nature of polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) and giant cell arteritis (GCA) and the presence of clinical or subclinical arteritis might lead to an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs).

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Is polymyalgia stress related?

Infections, traumatic injuries or sudden shocks such as bereavement or a period of high stress can trigger the onset of polymyalgia rheumatica.

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Can magnesium help polymyalgia?

Low levels of either can lead to muscle cramps from PMR – magnesium supplements help. As with all supplements, you should run them by your doctor or pharmacist. I've found it helpful to keep a daily pain and dosage log.

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Is there a difference between polymyalgia and polymyalgia rheumatica?

Polymyalgia, or polymyalgia rheumatica, is an inflammatory disease of muscle. The cause is uncertain but it is believed to be an autoimmune disease in which the body's own immune system attacks the connective tissues. The primary symptoms are severe stiffness and pain in the muscles of the neck, shoulder and hip areas.

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Does polymyalgia make you tired?

The stiffness is often worse first thing in the morning after you wake up. It usually starts to improve after about 45 minutes as you become more active. Some people with polymyalgia rheumatica can also: feel very tired.

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Is cheese good for polymyalgia?

Calcium and Vitamin D – When you are on steroid treatment for PMR, you are at an increased risk of osteoporosis, fractures and bone damage. Food is the best source of calcium. Dairy products, such as milk, yogurt, and cheese are high in calcium.

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Can stress cause polymyalgia flare ups?

Polymyalgia rheumatica is a condition that causes muscle pain (myalgia) as a result of inflammation in the large muscles. The inflammation may be caused by immune system abnormalities or genetic factors. Polymyalgia may also be result of stress and fatigue and the ageing process.

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How do you beat polymyalgia?

Corticosteroids. Polymyalgia rheumatica is usually treated with a low dose of an oral corticosteroid, such as prednisone (Rayos). You'll likely start to feel relief from pain and stiffness within the first two or three days.

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What is the best exercise for polymyalgia?

Walking is usually the most suitable weight-bearing exercise for people with polymyalgia rheumatica. Sitting for any length of time may cause stiffness, making activities such as driving more difficult. Stop from time to time on a long journey to stretch your shoulders, arms and legs.

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Does vitamin D help polymyalgia?

In a new study, investigators from Brigham and Women's Hospital found the people who took vitamin D, or vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids, had a significantly lower rate of autoimmune diseases — such as rheumatoid arthritis, polymyalgia rheumatica, autoimmune thyroid disease, and psoriasis — than people who took a ...

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Which is worse polymyalgia or rheumatoid arthritis?

Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is an auto-inflammatory rheumatic disease of people over 50 years, presenting with pain and stiffness in the neck, shoulder and hip girdles1. The term PMR was first used to underline that it seemed substantially milder from rheumatoid arthritis (RA) as no joint damage had been observed2.

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