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Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR): Meet others & Share Your Story
Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) | Last Active: Jan 27 8:38am | Replies (1879)Comment receiving replies
Regarding PMR symptoms -- does PMR always cause joint pain and stiffness or can it just cause muscle aches? I've been having severe muscle pain all over, but mainly in my upper back and neck, sometimes up the back and side of my head. Sometimes the pain eases by early evening. I don't have joint pain or limited range of motion. My SED and CRP tests are always within the normal range. Three years ago I had a temporal artery ultrasound and biopsy, both negative for GCA. I also had a negative TA ultrasound a few months ago.
Replies to "Regarding PMR symptoms -- does PMR always cause joint pain and stiffness or can it just..."
@ripley Have you talked with your PCP or Rheumy about taking steroids to help diagnose PMR for people without classic symptoms? I do not have classic symptoms and more than one doctor suggested I try steroids as a test to see how well I responded. Apparently if you do not respond as expected then it is not PMR. I did respond as expected so my Dx was confirmed.
I wish you well on your journey and keep us posted as you go.
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I don't have joint pain. I have muscle pain or had. I take 6 mg of pred daily. I was diagnosed Oct 21. It was not stiffness, it was extreme pain when lifting my arms, squatting, trying to roll over in bed etc. Upper arms, shoulders, neck, upper back, under buttocks, tendons in upper thigh and inside of upper knee. Bilateral. I woke up with it and progressed in the coming weeks.