Myalgia: Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) vs Fibromyalgia

24 Mar

By Karen Crosby

‘Myalgia’ means muscle pain, both of which are present, as you can see in the title.

There are similarities between the two conditions in varying severity of pain:

Both are chronic pain conditions.
Both experience pain in the muscles in different areas of the body.
Both conditions are more common in women than in men.

Fibromyalgia is an abnormal sensory processing condition that involves the central nervous system (CNR) creating pain signals to the brain, where pain should not be present, a kind of faulty wiring between the two.

Pain is experienced in multiple places on both sides of the body in 18 main places.

Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) is an inflammatory disease of the muscles widely believed to be autoimmune, which is the body’s own immune system attacking the connective tissues.

Diagnosis

Fibromyalgia is very difficult to diagnose as it is usually diagnosed after ruling out arthritis, and by pressing on the various trigger points around the body.

Whereas PMR is diagnosed definitively by a blood test showing inflammatory markers and other factors.

Symptoms

Fibromyalgia symptoms:

· Widespread pain throughout the body.

· Sensitivity to pain and other sensations like sound, bright lights and any sensory input.

· Chronic fatigue and difficulty sleeping.

· Concentration issues (fibro fog).

· Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).

· Depression and anxiety.

· Headaches and migraine.

· Restless leg syndrome.

PMR symptoms:

Severe pain and stiffness in the muscles of the neck, shoulders, upper arms, buttocks and hips.
Flu-like symptoms like weakness, weight loss, fever.
A 15% chance of developing a potentially dangerous condition called giant cell arteritis; which is inflammation of the arteries supplying the head, and possibly causing strokes or aneurisms. It is therefore very important to get medical help if headaches or blurred vision comes on.
Limited range of motion in affected areas.

Onset

Fibromyalgia can develop at any time in life and is present for a lifetime.

PMR however rarely develops before the age of 50 with the average onset age being 70. This condition usually resolves itself after two years (although not always).

Treatments

Fibromyalgia is treated with pain relieving medication, antidepressants, gentle exercise, relaxation and meditation techniques, stress management and other holistic approaches.

PMR however is targeted to relieving inflammation by prescriptions of NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as ibuprofen, but much more often corticosteroids are needed such as prednisone or similar.

Conclusion

To close, I would like to point out that the two conditions are similar in some ways, however it is possible to have both conditions at the same time, either PMR developing even years after a Fibro onset, or both being present together.

I would caution you that if you are already a fibro warrior, and you have read the PMR symptoms above, it is easy enough to ask for a blood test to check, because the treatments can be modified to what works best for you.

Happy pain free month!

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