Is it my fault, or theirs?
No. The cause of PMR isn't known; it isn't caused by anything they or you did.
It's common to wonder whether you should have noticed sooner, or pushed them to see a doctor. PMR often comes on quickly and can be hard to diagnose because it looks like other conditions. What helps now is believing them and knowing the warning signs; feeling doubted is linked to worse health.
Sources
- NHS: Polymyalgia rheumatica, overview
- Kool et al.: Social support and invalidation by others contribute uniquely to the understanding of physical and mental health of patients with rheumatic diseases (Journal of Health Psychology)
- American College of Rheumatology: Polymyalgia rheumatica (patient fact sheet)
- US National Institutes of Health (NIAMS): Polymyalgia rheumatica and giant cell arteritis
Reviewed 2026-11-09 · next review 2027-11-09