What you say is true. However, there is nothing that prevents a person with RA from developing PMR. The same is true for people with PMR who also have osteoarthritis. You can have any type of arthritis and still have PMR. It doesn't have to be one or the other.

I was diagnosed with spondyloarthritis at the age of 32. My prior diagnosis did create some confusion when I developed PMR at the age of 52. My rheumatologist eventually just said it was "unfortunate" but I had both.

In my case, PMR exacerbated my arthritis to the extent that I didn't know what was causing what --- it would hurt everywhere. My rheumatolgist called it "systemic inflammation." Another phrase used was a "full range of rheumatology conditions." I personally thought it was a "hybrid of things."

All I knew --- whatever "it" was --- the pain wouldn't stop unless I took a lot of Prednisone for a very long time.