I have had a severe case of polymyalgia rheumatica and was initia...

Polymyalgia is a self limiting inflammatory disorder, it causes pain and stiffness in the muscles...poly(many) my(muscle)algia(pain). It doesn't cause much else. My mother insisted it caused the stabbing back pain she developed on one spot in her back a few years back although her original symptoms were muscle stiffness/pain and her doctor thought maybe too. I said it sounds exactly like a back injury. Years later, it got worse and yes when she finally ended up in ER the Xrays showed two fractures, one older one as well as the new one.

You have to realize that not everything is related or should be blamed on polymyalgia. Sometimes it could be another medical condition or even a med side effect.

From what I have been told by my rheumatologist and also my primary doc, it seems there is no end to the possible side effects from prednisone. Every time I talk to someone else who has been on it, I hear at least one more side effect added to the very long list I already have.. I hope your doctor can help you with this. patksalsich86

I too am on prednisone. Was on 40 MG now taking 20mg. I too have a problem with my face feeling tight, pulling sensation that just about drives ya crazy. Not a burning sensation, but I too was wondering if this has to do with the pill. I 'm getting off of this pill as soon as possible. It also effects my eyes. They feel like they are closed more and puffy around. I was also diaginozied with polymyalgia rheumatica. Sore and pain running through different parts of my body. It lodged in my upper arms and felt like knivws digging in. Please reply
Thanks

I am now down to 12 1/2 mg per day of the Prednisone and the burning in my body seems to have decreased somewhat, so this makes me think that the burning is a side effect from the medication rather than the PMR. Am wondering how long after a person is completely off the Prednisone that the face returns to normal?

I, too have PMR and have been taking 20 mg prednisone for3 months now. I have a lot of the symptoms, but the worst one, for me is the insatiable appetite and moon face. I know several people who have been weaned from the drug and in a couple months their face returned to normal. I havenm't experienced any tingling in arms, but in reading this site ,I think everyone has a completely different set of problems.