Polymyositis
Symptoms of polymyositis
Polymyositisaffects many different muscles, particularly around the neck, shoulders, back, hips and thighs.
Symptoms include:
- muscle weakness
- aching or painfulmuscles
- extreme tiredness
- generally feeling unwell
- other more generalised symptoms, including joint pain and occasionally swelling, and shortness of breath
The muscle weaknessmay vary from week to week or month to month, althoughit tends to steadily get worse without treatment.
You may find it difficult toget upfrom a chair, climb stairs, lift objects, and comb your hair. The muscle weakness can become so severe that even picking up a cup of tea can be difficult.
If your neck muscles are affected, you may find it hard to hold your head up. If your throat or chestmuscles are affected, you may also have breathing and swallowing difficulties .
Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 21 Dec 2018
Introduction
Find out about myositis, including the different types of myositis, how it's diagnosed and treated and the possible complications.
Types of myositis
There are different types of myositis which all affect the muscles, including: polymyositis which affects many different muscles, particularly theshoulders, hips and thigh muscles; it's more commo
Symptoms of polymyositis
Polymyositisaffects many different muscles, particularly around the neck, shoulders, back, hips and thighs. Symptoms include: muscle weakness aching or painfulmuscles extreme tiredness generally
Symptoms of dermatomyositis
Dermatomyositis also affects the muscles and the symptoms are similar to those of polymyositis (see above). But in addition there's also a distinctive rash. Before the muscle symptoms occur, a red
Diagnosing myositis
Your GP will ask you about your symptoms and examine you.If they think you may have myositis, youll need to have some tests to help rule out other conditions with similar symptoms. Tests you may have
Treating myositis
Exercise and physiotherapy You must be very careful about exercising if you have severe symptoms of myositis, such as severe muscle pain and weakness. Most specialists don't recommend exercising duri
Outlook
Most people withmyositis respond to a combination of steroid and immunosuppressive therapy, alongside carefully-controlled exercise. Steroids are often needed, in very low doses, for several years as
Complications of myositis
Some people with myositisrespond less well to treatment and find the condition significantly affects their everyday activities and quality of life. But continuing toexercise usually helps improve musc
Help and support
Myositis UK provides further information, help and support for people who arediagnosed withmyositis and their families. The Myositis Association (of America) also provides information about polymyos
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