How to Recognize Symptoms of Polymyalgia Rheumatica

Polymyalgia rheumatica is a chronic inflammatory disease that causes widespread muscle inflammation. Although the condition is common, a few sufferers are misdiagnosed. Instead of diagnosing patients with polymyalgia rheumatica, some doctors mistakenly rule that their patients have arthritis, fibromyalgia and other autoimmune diseases that cause chronic inflammation.

Instructions

• 1

  One of the tell-tale signs of polymyalgia rheumatica is chronic pain in the muscles, bones and joints. Pain can be mild or severe. In fact, some sufferers deal with debilitating pain, in which they’re unable to perform everyday activities.

• 2

  Like most inflammatory diseases, polymyalgia rheumatica causes fatigue. Sufferers may deal with periods of extreme fatigue, or chronic low-energy.

• 3

  Because this condition can sometimes attack the thigh and leg muscles, sufferers may have difficulty standing or walking. Weakness may also present itself in the back muscles, shoulder muscles and the knees.

• 4

  Often times, sufferers are diagnosed with polymyalgia rheumatica after a routine blood test revealed high levels of muscle enzymes. Chronic inflammation releases muscle enzymes into the blood stream. An X-ray, MRI and neurological test can help identify polymyalgia and similar conditions.

• 5

  In some instances, polymyalgia rheumatica sufferers develop a recurrent fever.

• 6

  An unintentional weight loss can be a sign of polymyalgia rheumatica. Sufferers may notice a drop in weight minus a change in exercise or eating habits.