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Polymyalgia rheumatica is an inflammatory disorder that causes muscle pain and stiffness, especially in the shoulders and hips. Most people who develop polymyalgia rheumatica are older than 65. It rarely affects people under 50. Symptoms: The symptoms are different from the ache you may feel after exercise that your body isn’t used to. The pain and stiffness from polymyalgia rheumatica is often widespread, and is worse when resting or after rest. Symptoms can improve with activity or as the day goes on. The pain may also wake you at night. It’s also common to feel unwell or to have a slight fever, and you may lose weight. Causes: The cause of polymyalgia rheumatica is unknown, but a combination of genetic and environmental factors is thought to be responsible. Polymyalgia rheumatica is an age-related condition. Most people diagnosed with it are over 65, and it's very rare in people younger than 50. It's also more common in women than men. Treatment: Polymyalgia rheumatica treatment begins with a low dose of corticosteroids. healthcare provider may recommend 10 mg (milligrams) to 15 mg per day of prednisone, which may rapidly relieve your pain and stiffness. If your symptoms improve, the steroid is gradually lessened over one to two years. Rest and exercise are also important factors in the treatment of polymyalgia rheumatica. Regular exercise can help you maintain muscle strength and joint flexibility. Good forms of exercise include: Riding a stationary bike. Swimming. Walking. Your provider may also recommend physical therapy to help with discomfort and to maintain your mobility. With treatment, symptoms of polymyalgia rheumatica resolve within a few days. Treatment duration is generally one to two years, but in some cases, longer treatment is necessary and relapses may occur. In some cases, people may require lifelong treatment with a low dose of prednisone (2 mg to 5 mg daily) to prevent recurrence.

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