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Adjusting to life with temporal arteritis

Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) | Last Active: Jan 13 9:52am | Replies (217)

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@johnbishop

Hi @tillysam, I don't think I ever experienced a heaviness feeling in the upper chest, neck and shoulder area during one of my 2 PMR occurrences other than the normal pains and aches that go with PMR. If I'm not mistaken, I think @sidsell1 and @cd54016 have posted about a heaviness in the chest area but I'm not sure it's the same as what you are experiencing.

I know from reading that people associate the heaviness with heart problems but it can have multiple causes including anxiety among other things. This article might explain it better --- What causes a heavy feeling in the chest?: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324537

Did these new symptoms start after you switched from prednisone to hydrocortisone? Do you think it might be a side effect?

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Replies to "Hi @tillysam, I don't think I ever experienced a heaviness feeling in the upper chest, neck..."

The heaviness in my arms, upper chest, neck and shoulders started on Prednisone and continue on Hydrocortisone. My endocrinologist and cardiologist say it is muscle myopathy. They say I will feel better once I am off steroids. At the rate I am going in terms of tapering the steroids, I have no idea when this will happen.