Thursday 18 March 2010

POLY MYALGIA RHEUMATICA

http://ard.bmj.com/content/49/7/521.abstract

Ann Rheum Dis 1990
Research Article
A seasonal pattern in the onset of polymyalgia rheumatica.
M A Cimmino,
R Caporali,
C M Montecucco,
S Rovida,
E Baratelli,
M Broggini
+ Author Affiliations

Department of Rheumatology, Genoa University, Italy.
Abstract
The seasonal distribution in the onset of polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) was determined in 58 patients with the disease and compared with that in 44 patients affected by rheumatoid arthritis of elderly onset (EORA). Thirty six (62%) cases of PMR developed during May to August; by contrast, only 14 (31%) cases of EORA developed in the same months, this latter disease failing to show any seasonal clustering. The monthly distribution of PMR correlated with outside temperature and hours of sunshine. These data suggest that PMR might be triggered by such factors as actinic damage of superficial vessels or infective agents with a seasonal cycle. Finally, the summer clustering of PMR may be helpful in the differential diagnosis from EORA.

Hmm! May to August isn't that prime tick sequesting time?

What a thought provoking piece of research shame they didn't consider other epidemiological possibilities. My own illness which was diagnosed as Poly Myalgia Rheumatica turned out to be Lyme Disease. In fact reading about Lyme Disease and knowing the many problems with the vascular system I have to question the Giant Cell Arteritis? But then hey perhaps that is just me adding two and two and making five, what would I know about medicine.

I am just glad that my GP finally realised after 4 years of illness with Fibromyalgia, ME/CFS, arthritis and muscle weakness leading to a Poly Myalgia Rheumatica diagnosis that it was possibly Lyme Disease some months later a specialist confirmed her suspicions. I was treated on long term antibiotics in line with ILADS Guidelines and eventually recovered my health.

I wonder how many patients suffering with Poly Myalgia Rheumatica are properly assessed for Lyme disease especially with the testing being so unreliable.

2 comments:

  1. Hi JoAnne, I was hoping to find another email for you but do not see one. I have been ill for months over 11 weeks. Started out with an unusual flu... pretty bad and then better then a relapse then antibiotics that did not work and ill still. I am beginning to think I have lyme... is upper respiratory problems a symptom... I cannot find it anywhere... I had a cough that would not quit for some time but now just out of breath even when talking and can hardly walk around my gardens. I can hardly blog... something I had loved in the past! I get on edge easily sitting at the computer. I am sorry to put this here but wondered what you think. Thank YOU so much! I will continue to look at your links. All Best to you, Carol

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  2. Hi Carol

    Sorry I lost your comment and replied on my latest post but I will get back to you.

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