What is polymyalgia rheumatic (PMR)?
PMR occurs only in older adults, and rarely in people younger than 50. The average age of onset of symptoms is 70. The typical symptoms of PMR are severe aching and stiffness around the upper arms, neck, lower back and thighs. Symptoms tend to develop quickly, over a period of several days or weeks, and occasionally even overnight. Aching and stiffness are worse in the morning, and tend to improve gradually as the day goes by, but periods of inactivity, such as a long car ride or sitting too long in one position, will cause stiffness to return. Stiffness may be so severe that there is pain at night, difficulty getting dressed in the morning (for example, putting on a jacket or bending over to pull on socks and shoes), or difficulty getting up from a low chair. Occasionally, aching occurs in distal joints such as those of the hands and wrists.
