Medical Questions » Muscles, Tendons, Ligaments Questions » Question No. 703
| Question: | My doctor wants me to take cortisone for my polymyalgia rheumatica. Is this safe? |
| Answer: | Polymyalgia rheumatica is a most distressing condition, but not serious or fatal. It involves inflammation of the muscles and can attack any muscle group at random.
The treatment involves heat, painkillers and anti-inflammatory medications. If these are not successful, steroids can be used. These are potent drugs that reduce the swelling, pain and tenderness associated with many diseases. They may have serious side effects, but if taken strictly as directed they are unlikely to do any harm. It is probably better to have your condition settled by steroids rather than suffer for many weeks to come. |
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