Polymyalgia Rheumatica - Does it come and go?

[SjoGirl]

If you have Polymyalgia Rheumatica I am wondering -- does it come and go? When it comes is it much worse than at other times, (do you have flares)?

I ask because I had been well for the most part since my rheumatologist upped my Imuran several weeks ago. However, my fatigue and pain levels started to increase over the weekend and today I am in extreme pain. My neck down my back hurts tremendously as do my knees. My elbow are somewhat sore, but not as bad as other parts. I have a long diagnosis sheet which has included rheumatica and similar myalgias, though nothing definitive.

This comes and goes and when I get a wave it's terrible. I tried a Tylenol to no avail. I have Celebrex to try, but I have to travel tomorrow and am a bit afraid to try it lest it make me ill. I can't miss this trip.

Thoughts?

[irish]

My MIL had this and it would come and go and sometimes not so bad and other times pain made it hard to walk We are all different so hard to tell, I guess. Have you tried the heating pad and resting?? I always use head or cold to deal with pain and it often helps a lot. . I take only Tylenol which is more helpful in inflammatory pain than previously thought. Good luck. Irish

[SjoGirl]

Irish, Thanks for your quick reply. I did not use heat last night but clearly should have. I will definitely have my trusty heating pad on tonight.

Tylenol isn't touching this pain. I'm hoping that time and rest will help, otherwise I'll be trying Celebrex when I return from my trip.

[irish]

You may want to check with your doctor also. I know this gets old, doesn't it. All these darn symptoms that come and go and we never know the answer much of the time. Just by chance there may be something that needs to be treated with prednisone. Good luck. Irish

[SjoDry]

My mom had Polymyalgia Rheumatica also. She does have periodic bouts of pain. She uses Voltaren Gel and gets some relief. Also, I bought some salve with CBD oil for her which helps also.

SjoDry