Polymyalgia rheumatica
Symptoms
The most common symptom of polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is pain and stiffness in the shoulder muscles, which develops quickly over a few days or weeks.
Most people with polymyalgia rheumatica have very stiff muscles when they wake up. You may also feel tired or depressed and lose your appetite.
The cause of polymyalgia rheumatica is unknown. It's more common in people over 70 and very rare in people under 50.
The main treatment for polymyalgia rheumatica is steroid tablets. These ease the symptoms by reducing the inflammation in your body.
Polymyalgia rheumatica is a condition that causes pain, stiffness and inflammation in the muscles around the shoulders, neck and hips.
Page last reviewed: 30/12/2019
Next review due: 30/12/2022