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POLYMYALGIA

Posted , 6 users are following.

david_42408
david_42408

is polymyalgia the same as fibromyalgia

1 like, 6 replies

6 Replies

  • grahammolyneux
    grahammolyneux david_42408

    Posted

    I am sure someone here can tell you the difference as I asked the exact same question only a few weeks back but the answer is a definite No!!

    There is a forum specially for it here though

     

  • EileenH
    EileenH david_42408

    Posted

    No - is the short answer!

    Although they have some symptoms that are similar, fibromyalgia is basically a problem with pain perception. PMR is a vasculitis - inflammation of blood vessels - that leads to inflammation which then causes poor blood supply and lack of oxygen in the affected areas. 

    The absolutely fundamental difference is that the polymyalgia we are talking about here responds quite dramtically to a moderate dose of pred. Giving a 15-20 mg daily dose of pred can achieve a 70% improvement in symptoms within a few days. In fact, if it doesn't then another diagnosis should be considered.

    • bedilia
      bedilia EileenH

      Posted

      Excellent description of the two myalgias, Eileen!
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