What are the first symptoms of polymyositis?

The common symptoms of polymyositis include:

• Muscle pain and stiffness.
• Muscle weakness, particularly in the belly (abdomen), shoulders, upper arms, and hips.
• Joint pain and stiffness.
• Trouble catching your breath.
• Problems with swallowing.
• Irregular heart rhythms, if the heart muscle becomes inflamed.
  

  How long can you live with myositis?

  More than 95 percent of those with DM, PM, and NM are still alive more than five years after diagnosis. Many experience only one period of acute illness in their lifetime; others struggle with symptoms for years. One of the biggest problems in treating myositis is obtaining an accurate diagnosis.

  Who is most likely to get myositis?

  Adults between the ages of 30 and 60, and children between the ages of 5 and 15 are more likely to get myositis.

  How do you rule out myositis?

  

  Muscle and skin biopsy are often the most definitive way to diagnose myositis diseases. Small samples of muscle tissue show abnormalities in muscles, including inflammation, damage, and abnormal proteins. For those with skin symptoms, doctors often biopsy a bit of skin to examine for characteristic abnormalities.

  How do I get rid of myositis?

  At present there is no cure for myositis. A person with myositis will need to manage the condition and to adjust to the changes it brings. This may involve continuing to take medicine and seeing a doctor regularly. It may also require changing some activities especially during periods of increased pain and weakness.

  Who gets myositis?

  Anyone can get myositis, but it usually affects women more than men. Adults between the ages of 30 and 60, and children between the ages of 5 and 15 are more likely to get myositis.

  What does myositis rash look like?

  The rash looks patchy, dark, and reddish or purple. It is most often found on the eyelids, cheeks, nose, back, upper chest, elbows, knees, and knuckles. While the rash of dermatomyositis may be the first sign of the disease, those with darker skin may not notice the rash as readily.

  Can myositis go away on its own?

  Like other rheumatic diseases, myositis is unlikely to go away on its own. But with proper treatment and management these chronic diseases can be brought under control. At present there is no cure for myositis. A person with myositis will need to manage the condition and to adjust to the changes it brings.

  What is the difference between myositis and dermatomyositis?

  Polymyositis means that many muscles are affected by inflammation. This type doesn’t often affect other parts of the body much. Dermatomyositis causes similar symptoms in muscles, but there is also a skin rash. ‘Derma’ means skin. Polymyositis, dermatomyositis, as well as other types of myositis, are autoimmune conditions.

  What kind of muscle weakness does polymyositis cause?

  Polymyositis occurs in people over the age of 20, affecting more women than men. It is characterized by muscle weakness that begins in the trunk (neck, hips, back and shoulders) and worsens over time.

  What happens to your muscles when you have myositis?

  weak and tired muscles that can make everyday tasks such as climbing stairs, brushing hair, and getting in and out of cars difficult night sweats. The most common muscles to be affected are around the shoulders, hips and thighs. The weakening and tiredness in the muscles can make people with myositis more likely to fall over.

  What makes inclusion body myositis different from other types?

  The key difference in inclusion body myositis compared to other types of myositis is that as well as inflammation in the muscles, there is also a build-up of protein. These tiny clumps of protein can only be seen with special microscopes.

  Polymyositis means that many muscles are affected by inflammation. This type doesn’t often affect other parts of the body much. Dermatomyositis causes similar symptoms in muscles, but there is also a skin rash. ‘Derma’ means skin. Polymyositis, dermatomyositis, as well as other types of myositis, are autoimmune conditions.

  How is metabolic myopathy similar to polymyositis?

  Necrotizing autoimmune myopathy: This rare disease is similar to polymyositis but with more severe and sudden symptoms. It is characterized by necrosis (cell death) in muscle tissue. Metabolic myopathies: This group of diseases is caused by inherited genetic changes.

  What causes muscle weakness in inclusion body myositis?

  Polymyositis: The immune system attacks muscle fibers. Muscle weakness makes it difficult to rise from a seated position or lift objects. Inclusion body myositis: In addition to inflammation, people with inclusion body myositis also experience loss of muscle mass.

  Why is myositis and myopathy called inflammatory myopathies?

  Thyroid disease, in which the gland that helps regulate your metabolism under- or overproduces hormones. Virus or infection (including HIV and influenza) that invades and damages muscle tissue. These three rare conditions are also known as inflammatory myopathies because the muscles become inflamed and weak.