Polymyalgia Rheumatica
PMR can leave older patients suddenly unable to dress, rise from a chair or lift their arms in the morning. It usually responds well to treatment, but the tapering, monitoring and screening for giant cell arteritis all matter, which is why careful rheumatology follow-up helps.
What polymyalgia rheumatica is
Polymyalgia rheumatica is an inflammatory condition that causes pain and stiffness around the shoulders, neck, hips and thighs, usually in people over 50. Symptoms often come on over days or weeks and are worse in the morning or after rest.
Symptoms to look out for
Bilateral shoulder or hip girdle pain
Morning stiffness lasting more than 45 minutes
Difficulty dressing, reaching or getting out of bed
Fatigue, low mood, fever or weight loss in some patients
Possible association with giant cell arteritis
Why this matters to a rheumatologist
Rheumatology helps confirm PMR, exclude mimics, guide steroid dosing and tapering, and monitor bone, blood sugar, blood pressure and relapse risk. Screening for giant cell arteritis is part of every review.
Signs I would like you to seek care for
For emergency symptoms please seek urgent or emergency care first rather than waiting for a WhatsApp reply.
New headache, jaw pain or visual symptoms (possible giant cell arteritis, seek urgent care)
Severe shoulder and hip stiffness in someone over 50
Symptoms with fever, weight loss or marked fatigue
Relapse while reducing steroids
What a specialist review looks like
I assess the pattern of stiffness, examine shoulders and hips, check inflammatory markers and screen carefully for GCA symptoms before planning treatment and monitoring. I also plan bone protection because steroids can affect bone density.
Questions my patients often ask me
Speak with me
If you have new shoulder and hip stiffness that is worse in the morning, or you are already on steroids for PMR and struggling with tapering, WhatsApp my clinic and we can help you decide whether a rheumatology review is the right next step.
Other conditions I treat
This page is for general education only and does not replace medical advice. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment.