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Is it PMR (and/) or Osteoarthritis?
Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) | Last Active: Apr 10 2:54pm | Replies (51)Comment receiving replies
I have trouble determining if the pain I am experiencing in both shoulders is just my Arthritis or is it a PMR Flare up. This pain and some stiffness has become constant. I am a active 74 year old male and I know I have a lot of arthritis from my hips up to my neck. I was diagnosed with PMR about 5 years ago. Started out at 20 mg Prednisone and have had many flare ups through the years. My last inflammation markers were slightly above the normal range. I have been told that PMR always affects both shoulders and both hips. Anyone else have the same question - Arthritis or PMR ? Thanks
Replies to "I have trouble determining if the pain I am experiencing in both shoulders is just my..."
Hi @greggview73, can you get an Xray of your shoulders?
My whole body ached constantly with PMR. I went to Physical Therapy before diagnosis, which didn't help. On prednisone my shoulder pain went away, but I never got full range of motion back in my right shoulder after going off it.
I've had rotator cuff and bicep problems for years in that shoulder and just found out, after Xray, I need a shoulder replacement, due to osteoarthritis.
I can get relief by doing some isometric exercises, squeezing the shoulder blades together, putting them down and back and using an infrared heating pad. Also, I've found the exercises in this video to be helpful:
https://duckduckgo.com/?q=Nathan+Shoulder+Arthritis+Presurgery+Exercises&atb=v314-1&t=chromentp&iax=videos&ia=videos&iai=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DtIbNvwbSDII
I had a steroid shot in the joint but it didn't help the tendon/bicep pain.
I knew I had issues with my left hip prior to the onset of PMR, but I kept it at bay for many years with an anti-inflammatory diet and exercise program. During my one year bout with PMR and weaning off of a low dose of prednisone, my hip exacerbated to the point that I had to have a hip replacement, which was the best thing I ever did. Anterior hip replacements are easy these days, whereas shoulders are probably not. I'm not sure if it was the PMR or the prednisone that made my hip worse, or perhaps I should just blame it on my mom, who had both hips done. 🙂 BTW, I only had PMR pain in my thighs and upper arms/shoulders and only when I was laying in bed! As soon as I got up in the morning, no pain! I do think that my whole foods, primarily plant-based, organic diet was a contributing factor in my mild case and fast recovery. I happen to be a registered dietitian. Good luck to you!
Hello @greggiew73 - I combined your discussion with an existing discussion titled, "Is it PMR (and/) or Osteoarthritis?" - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/is-it-pmr-and-or-osteoarthritis/ to meet the many members talking about a situation similar to yours.
I too have both osteo arthritis and PMR. I recently fell and broke my left shoulder and arm and had to stop taking Kevzara for MOHS surgery. I then had to take an antibiotic for a week for infection in the surgical site. At the end of that I was in terrific pain all through my shoulders, neck and arms. I took norco and tried percoset but the pain was not helped and I realized it was a PMR flare. Prednisone took care of all the new severe pain. It was a PMR flare. It even hurt to take each breath! I forgot how severe PMR pain can be since it had been a while since I had a flare. It can be confusing when you have constant pain from more than one cause. Best of luck in the future.
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It doesn't have to be either arthritis or PMR. More likely than not it is arthritis and PMR.
PMR exacerbates wear and tear osteoarthritis. I'm sure there are other people like me who have been diagnosed with both inflammatory arthritis and PMR.