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Is Polymyalgia Rheumatica Sometimes Really Menopausal Arthritis?

Posted , 7 users are following.

jeannecatlover
jeannecatlover

I went into menopause in August, and about a month later started feeling new types of pain--pain in my hands when I tried to open bottles, pain in my biceps when I tried to pull a banana off a bunch, pain in my hips when I stood after sitting for an extended period.  I read the book FLYING UP THE STAIRS:  WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT MENOPAUSAL ARTHRITIS TO BREAK FREE, and it seemed to describe many of my symptoms.  The timing of the pain seemed to clearly indicate to me that it was caused by menopause.  My rheumatologist, though, said they don't acknowledge "menopausal arthritis" as a condition, and she diagnosed me with Polymyalgia Rheumatica, saying it just happened to arise in my case shortly after menopause.  She put me on prednisone.  I'm just wondering if there are other people in this group like me, and if so, have you found any effective treatment for menopausal arthritis?  I really don't feel I have the right diagnosis.  Thanks.

0 likes, 8 replies

8 Replies

  • EileenH
    EileenH jeannecatlover

    Posted

    Did the pred work?

    PMR is not the disease - it is the name given to the set of symptoms that comprise PMR but which may be due to one or other of several different underlying causes. One is hormonal problems leading to similar symptoms. The changes happening in the menopausal period (pre, peri and post) are a continuum. Just because your period didn't appear one month doesn't really identify a moment that is "menopause". And the age thing is also fairly immaterial in distinguishing hormonal related PMR from "our" PMR. It also appears in the menopausal age group. I had had PMR symptoms for 5 years and a flare coincided with my LMP - but I don't think it was due to that.

    Your rheumatologist may not recognise menopausal arthritis - but I bet you could find a gynae who would if you looked long enough. There is a thread somewhere by someone who had PMR and when she went for a smear the nurse noticed how stiff she was, questioned her and told which GP in the practice to see. Hormone levels were checked and HRT achieved a minor miracle. I don't think pred had done much for her.

    However - if you don't think you have the right diagnosis, keep searching. But probably not amongst rheumies... 

    • jeannecatlover
      jeannecatlover EileenH

      Posted

      Thanks for that info.  I haven't had any luck with my gynecologist, but now that you've encouraged me, I will look for other doctors.  For me, the timing seems a strong indicator that going off birth control and diving into menopause caused the pain.  I would really like to try HRT to see if that can help.

      Thanks for clarifying that PMR is just a label for symptoms rather than a declaration of cause.  I've had myofascial pain syndrome for 30 years, which is the same type of label (different pain than I started having with menopause).   

      Yes, the prednisone has helped some.  I've noticed some people talking about neck pain in this group.  I've had problems with herniated discs in my neck on and off for years.  Most recently, I herniated a disc in my neck two years ago.  It was nearly better when this new PMR pain began.  Now the neck pain/numbness has come back and is very bad, like it was 2 years ago.  Is there some connection between PMR and neck pain, or between prednisone and neck pain?

      Thanks for your help.  I spent 30 years researching MPS and learning all there was to know about my body's relationship with pain, and now it has all changed and I'm starting from scratch.

       

    • EileenH
      EileenH jeannecatlover

      Posted

      MPS and PMR often go hand in hand - they do for me. But the pain tends to be different - PMR is less sharp than MPS I find. They are caused by the same cytokines (inflammatory substances) except in PMR they are systemic and in MPS they are localised in the fascia and the trigger points in pairs on either side of the spine. I'd wonder if your MPS is causing spasmed neck muscles - it isn't uncommon and that can mess up discs as well.

      Good luck!

      I found Bowen therapy made a big difference in the years before I got pred - perhaps worth trying a few sessions? Good practitioners say that if you don't feel some improvement in 3 sessions it probably won't help you.

    • jeannecatlover
      jeannecatlover EileenH

      Posted

      This is so helpful to know!  Thank you.

      I did try Bowen some years back for a few sessions and it made the pain worse.  Not sure if it was the practitioner or the technique.

      Could you possibly point me toward the thread involving this woman you mentioned, or is there an easy way to search for it?

      >There is a thread somewhere by someone who had PMR and when she went for a smear the nurse noticed how stiff she was, questioned her and told which GP in the practice to see. Hormone levels were checked and HRT achieved a minor miracle. I don't think pred had done much for her.<

      Thanks for sharing your knowledge and welcoming me into this community.

      Jeanne

    • EileenH
      EileenH jeannecatlover

      Posted

      The search function on this forum is pants! You get about 25 thousand links however you try to search! Using Google is better. However I have just tried unsuccessfully. Had I been able to find it believe me I would have put the link originally.
    • rachel24455
      rachel24455 EileenH

      Posted

      As ever, Eileen, very many thanks for these wise words!
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