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Polymyalgia Rheumatica

Female hand on her neck as suffering from neck ache

About diagnosis and treatment of Polymyalgia Rheumatica in Encinitas, CA

Polymyalgia Rheumatica is a painful condition afflicting many residents of Encinitas, CA. Those seeking comprehensive care and advanced treatment options, turn to Seaside Rheumatology and Wellness Center.

What is Polymyalgia Rheumatica?

Polymyalgia Rheumatica is an inflammatory syndrome that affects patients usually older than the age of 50. Patients will present with gradually worsening severe pain and stiffness in the proximal extremities (shoulder girdle and pelvic girdles area) symmetrically. The pain and stiffness are usually bilateral and worse with inactivity.

Symptoms and risk factors

Women are slightly more at risk than men to developing the disease. The risk of developing the disease also increases with age. Most patients are between the age of 60-70 years at diagnosis. Patients may also develop joint pains associated with polymyalgia rheumatica.

The arthritis can affect:

  • Hands
  • Wrists
  • Shoulders
  • Knees
  • Foot
  • Ankles

Some patients with polymyalgia symptoms also have a condition known as giant cellarteritis. Giant cell arteritis is a medical emergency and should be treated as soon as possible.

How polymyalgia rheumatica is diagnosed

Blood test in polymyalgia rheumatica typically show elevations of the nonspecific inflammatory markers; Sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein. There is no specific blood test or imaging test that is diagnostic for polymyalgia rheumatica. The cause of polymyalgia rheumatica is unknown. It is important to note that in 7-10% of patients with polymyalgia rheumatica, these inflammatory markers will be normal.

All you need to know about Polymyalgia Rheumatica explained by Dr. Peter Lloyd from Seaside Rheumatology and Wellness Center

All you need to know about Polymyalgia
Are you someone suffering from arthritis? What is Polymyalgia Rheumatica? Watch the video to identify the symptoms of Polymyalgia Rheumatica as Dr. Peter Lloyd from Seaside Rheumatology and Wellness Center explains it all.

What is Polymyalgia Rheumatica?

Polymyalgia rheumatica is an inflammatory condition characterized clinically by aching and morning stiffness in the proximal upper and lower extremities. So, for pain and stiffness in the shoulders, the neck area, the hips, and pelvic area.

How is Polymyalgia Rheumatica diagnosed?

There are no lab tests established for specific diagnosis of polymyalgia rheumatica. The diagnosis is based on general lab tests, inflammatory markers, such as sed rate and C-reactive protein, and then, of course, the patient’s clinical symptoms.

Who is prone to Polymyalgia Rheumatica?

Polymyalgia rheumatica is almost exclusively seen in adults over the age of 50, and as these individuals age, the risk of developing the disease increases.

How is Polymyalgia Rheumatica treated in your practice?

When you visit, Seaside Rheumatology and Wellness Center, we will evaluate you for symptoms associated with polymyalgia rheumatica.

Specifically, other inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis or psoriatic arthritis, as there is a lot of overlap in these different diseases.

It is important to distinguish and make the appropriate diagnosis because the treatment for polymyalgia rheumatica is very different than other forms of arthritis.


Treatments

Treatment consists of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and steroid therapy tapered very slowly over several months to a few years. Symptoms should resolve very quickly once steroids are started. It is very common for recurrences to occur several times during the steroid tapering process.

Most patients will be symptom-free and off steroid therapy by two years. A select few patients may require low dose prednisone for several years. It is important to discuss the long-term side effects of steroid use and how to help counteract these side effects.

Patients with polymyalgia are at increased risk to developing giant cell arteritis. Up to 30% of polymyalgia patients will develop giant cell arteritis. The symptoms associated with giant cell arteritis include, jaw pain, tongue pain, temporal headaches, scalp tenderness, stroke, and blindness. Giant cell arteritis symptoms are a medical emergency and should be treated immediately.

Let us help you maximize your quality of life and minimize painful symptoms. Call Seaside Rheumatology and Wellness Center at 760-509-2429 and schedule a consultation today.

Dr. Peter Lloyd

Dr. Peter Lloyd

Dr. Peter Lloyd is a board-certified rheumatologist with exceptional expertise in the diagnosis and treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and other rheumatologic diseases. He earned his medical degree at the University of Vermont College of Medicine. He completed his internal medicine residency at the University of Chicago. He completed his rheumatology fellowship training at the prestigious David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA. At his facility Seaside Rheumatology, he treats his patients using the latest technology and medical developments. Due to his impeccable academic records, modern approach to treatments and compassionate patient care, he is valued as one of the best rheumatologists in the Rheumatology field.

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