POLYMYALGIA RHEUMATICA
Although often thought of as a type of rheumatism, polymyalgia rheumatica affects the blood vessels rather than the joints. The symptoms, however, are usually aches and pains in the muscles and joints, especially around the shoulders and hips. Sometimes back pain may become severe and result in weakness, which makes it impossible to get out of a chair. The other symptoms include weight loss, poor appetite, headache, a sudden loss of vision, and depression. An erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) test and a biopsy of a blood vessel in the scalp may be necessary to diagnose this condition.
This diagnosis should be considered whenever an unusual type of rheumatism occurs. Treatment with cortisone by mouth is usually effective. Medication may have to be continued for eighteen to twenty-four months, but the dosage can be gradually decreased to avoid side effects.
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