Polymyalgia Rheumatica: A Rheumatologist explains

Polymyalgia Rheumatica, or PMR, is common after the age of 65. Marked by weakness and pain in the shoulders and hips, it can render someone wheelchair bound if not treated! Thankfully, the signs and symptoms are very recognizable, so much so that a rheumatology consult is often not even needed to start treatment! Learn all you need to know about this condition, how to spot and how we treat it to prepare for your doctor's appointment!

🔗 Links:

The guide you need to tell your doc your story -and get answers once and for all!

🎥 watch more:

⏱Time Stamps:
0:00 Intro
0:50 The Productive Rheumatology Appointment Guide
1:51 PMR: What is it? Who gets it? And Why?
3:55 PMR Signs & Symptoms
5:48 Labs in Polymyalgia Rheumatica
7:44 PMR & Giant Cell Arteritis (Temporal Arteritis)
9:27 Treatment of PMR
13:16 What to talk about with your Doc

**Please note - we do not provide medical advice, opinions or diagnosis via email, phone or social media messaging.

👩🏻‍⚕️ About me:
Hello! I am Dr. Elizabeth Ortiz and I’m so happy you are here. I am a double board certified Rheumatologist with over 15 years experience practicing Rheumatology and am passionate about teaching & empowering patients to partner with their doctor.

We discuss all things Rheumatology, Immunology, Diet & Movement & Mental Health & Wellness because we believe IT IS ALL CONNECTED!

** The information in this video is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. All content, including text, graphics, images, and information, contained in this video is for general information purposes only and does not replace a consultation with your own doctor/health professional. Any comments and/or recommendations made in the comment section by anyone other than Connected Rheumatology does not reflect the opinion or recommendation of Connected Rheumatology.**

[lisaskidgel]

I was diagnosed recently with this. I just turned 54, symptomatic since September of 2021. No known cause but theorized that bacterial or viral infection and or stress can bring this on. These things can also cause flares or relapse. Prednisone is a double edge sword. It works great until all the awful side effects start eating away at you. Very informative and to the point video. It’s hard to find up to date information on this as you said, not much has been learned about this. I’d like to know who or what is being done to research this more. There are a lot of us, numbers constantly growing, that suffer, and I do mean suffer, from this awful disease!

[nomebear]

Recently diagnosed with PMR, the relief with prednisone was immediate with the dose started with 15 mg daily. I'm able to function on 8 to 10 mg without symptoms, and did not have elevated inflammation markers. I attribute it to having to a challenged autoimmune system.
Yes the low dose prednisone has side effects, i.e. blood sugar elevated, higher blood pressure, put on weight, but I'll take the prednisone and its side effects compared to the crippling pain. Before prednisone, I was consider euthanasia.

[bluestar-on-yt]

i had the symptoms of CFS/ME for last 7 years with no let up and no proper diagnosis, however 4 weeks ago i got extreme pain in both shoulders with no recent training. and my research led to to PMR and the symptoms match exactly. i was thrilled to learn that this can be fixed pretty quickly and started my treatment on Prednisone.

[JimenaOrihuela-njou]

Very well said! This is exactly how I explain things to my patients! You break down the meaning of big, Latin medical words. Very informative. You sould like sla great doctor! 👏

[TheJancameron]

Thank you for this video. I developed PMR 3 1/2 years ago and was in dreadful pain and wanted to just die. I was grateful when I was given the prednisone and everything cleared up within a week. I don’t like to be on this prednisone, but I can see that I have flareups occasionally. I exercise a lot and I’m in very good shape. I haven’t had any problems with weight gain or blood pressure or any of those things. The only thing I had trouble with was reflux in the beginning. It’s discouraging to realize that I may have to figure out how to get off this prednisone so I can avoid future problems. Again thank you.

[deloachapproach]

at eighteen, I was exposed to Agent Orange. Ay 21 I whad diabetest and hyppothyroidism. At twenty-eight, shoulder pain began, I was an amateeur body builder. Tow yeas later, I ad surgery on both shoulders. When thirtypsix, I was diagnosed with poly=myalgia rheumatica. Last year I was diagnosed wioth {arkinson's. All but PMR are linked to Agent Orange exposure. Polymyalgia, though, isn't, although all are illmnesses liked to outomune disorgers. Sorry for any typos = I am also blind.

[liddletoes]

Suggest the carnivore diet to your patients. It worked for my PMR.

[KarenLaurence-jq]

Hi, I have recently been diagnosed with this but have a question. I started with hip pain, then knee, but my upper body symptoms started the day after a chiropractic neck adjustment. I can’t imagine it’s just coincidence. Thoughts?

[ChristinaSimmonds]

I was recently diagnosed with PMR and will be taking prednisone. After I left my rheumatologists office I realized there was a lot I didn't know about the condition I would be dealing with long term. Your video was extremely helpful. Are there specific exercises I could do to help keep my muscles as strong as possible? I am 78 years old and fairly active. I have done water exercises and weight machines . This stopped when I had so much pain. I walk the dog but that isn't really walking with the start and stop. I don't like to walk or do treadmill due to foot issue. Even when in pain I use resistance bands for my shoulders. Feels good while I am doing it. Are there exercises I shouldn't do? Would physical therapy be a good idea?