Skip to Accessibility MenuSkip to LoginSkip to ContentSkip to Footer

The ConfidentPatient:A Doctor Discussion GuideAbout PMR Treatment

A woman with her hand on her shoulder a frustrated speech bubble and the sun are around her

Mornings harder than ever?

Living with polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) often means dealing with intense pain and stiffness that can appear without warning and impact nearly every part of the body, including the head, neck, shoulders, and hip and elbow joints. While PMR symptom flares can happen at any time of day, they’re most common in the morning, making a simple wakeup routine suddenly feel like a colossal effort.

If your PMR symptoms have you struggling to get through the day, even from the moment you get out of bed, it may be time to talk to a doctor about your options.

A pill bottle inside a speech bubble

New day, new treatment

While standard treatment for PMR often involves medications like steroids and methotrexate, these treatments will not be the right fit for everyone. Some people with PMR cannot tolerate steroids, and some will find that other commonly prescribed medications don’t work for them.

If your PMR symptoms feel out of control even with standard treatments, sharing your experience and partnering with your healthcare team is critical in developing a treatment plan that meets your unique needs.

Questions for your rheumatologist

If you have an appointment with your rheumatologist or care team coming up, it’s a great time to check in with yourself about any changes to your symptoms and get your questions in order. Having an open and honest conversation about how PMR is impacting your life can help you determine next steps.

Not sure where to start? These questions can help guide your conversation.

    Tracking symptoms and severity
  • What symptoms should I be tracking, and what’s the best way to record them?
  • If my symptoms flare or suddenly worsen, what should I do?
  • How would you describe my severity? How will that inform your treatment approach?

    Exploring treatment options
  • My symptoms are harder to manage even with treatment. What are our next steps?
  • Based on my symptoms and treatment history, what treatment options am I a good candidate for?
  • Are there treatment options available besides steroids and DMARDs like methotrexate?
  • What are the latest biologic treatments available for PMR and how do they work?

    Getting treatment that meets your needs
  • If my treatment plan includes injectable medications, what will my treatment schedule be?
  • How will you evaluate whether my treatment is working or not? How will we measure and track this?
  • If we need to switch treatment pathways, what would that process look like?

Coming prepared to your appointment with questions like these can help you get the most out of the time with your rheumatologist and ensure you’re getting the care you need.

Symptom Check-in

How are you feeling lately?

PMR symptoms can come and go, but if they’ve recently worsened or become more frequent, it may be time to address them. Let’s check in about how you’ve been feeling lately.

In the last month, have you experienced any of the following?

☐ Pain in the shoulders, hips, buttocks, or thighs
☐ Headaches or pain in the jaw or neck
☐ Stiffness in affected areas, especially in the morning
☐ Less range of motion in affected areas
☐ Mild fever
☐ Tiredness, malaise, or feeling unwell
☐ Loss of appetite
☐ Unintentional weight loss
☐ Feeling depressed

The Check-up
A patient and a doctor have a conversation

What to say at your next appointment

Describing the impacts of PMR can be hard. Here are some ways to share them with your doctor:

  • “I’m noticing that it’s more difficult to even get out of bed on most of my mornings. Is there a way to get relief that isn’t just temporary?”
  • “I haven’t yet decided on a treatment for my PMR, but I don’t want to take a steroid. Can we talk about what else we can do to help manage my symptoms?”
  • “I’ve tried other treatment options, but my symptoms are still impacting my day-to-day and feel like they’re getting worse. Is it time to find a new option?”
Download PDF