Polymyositis

The Basics

Written by the doctors and editors at UpToDate пїЅ пїЅ

What is polymyositis? " пїЅ Polymyositis (PM) is a condition that causes muscle weakness. In PM, the muscles get inflamed. Doctors dont know what causes PM. пїЅ пїЅ

PM is more common in adults, but it can also happen in children. пїЅ пїЅ

What are the symptoms of polymyositis? " пїЅ PM causes muscle weakness. The weakness affects both sides of the body and usually happens slowly over time. It involves muscles closest to the trunk of the body, such as those in the neck, shoulders, hips, and thighs. Depending on the muscles involved, people with PM can have trouble climbing stairs, lifting things above their head, or swallowing. пїЅ пїЅ

Is there a test for polymyositis? " пїЅ Yes. Your doctor or nurse will order one or more of the following tests: пїЅ пїЅ

Blood tests
Electromyography, or "EMG " пїЅ " пїЅ This test shows whether your muscles are responding to the nerves ' electrical signals in the correct way.
Muscle biopsy " пїЅ For this test, the doctor takes a small sample of tissue from a muscle that is weak. Then another doctor looks at the sample under a microscope.
An imaging test called an MRI scan " пїЅ Imaging tests create pictures of the inside of the body.

How is polymyositis treated? " пїЅ The main treatment for PM includes medicines called steroids. Steroids help reduce inflammation. These steroids are different from the ones athletes take to build muscle. пїЅ пїЅ

People with PM usually need to take steroids for a long time. But steroids have side effects of their own. They can make your bones weak and raise your chances of getting an infection. To avoid these side effects as much as possible, your doctor will slowly lower (or "taper " пїЅ) your dose over time. пїЅ пїЅ

If you can't take steroids, the steroids don't help enough, or your symptoms come back, your doctor can treat you with other medicines. These medicines help reduce inflammation, too, but are different than steroids. Sometimes, doctors prescribe both steroids and these other medicines at the same time to treat PM. пїЅ пїЅ

In children, long-term use of steroids can slow normal growth. To help prevent this side effect, doctors usually prescribe steroids along with other medicines to children. That way, the children can take less of the steroids and have a better chance of growing normally. пїЅ пїЅ

Other treatment for PM involves keeping your body as strong as possible and preventing further problems. This usually includes: пїЅ пїЅ

Working with a physical therapist (exercise expert) to learn exercises to strengthen your muscles
Changing what and how you eat, if you have trouble swallowing or choke easily on your food
Taking medicines to help prevent side effects from the steroids

What if I want to get pregnant? " пїЅ If you want to get pregnant, talk with your doctor or nurse. He or she will work with you to get your PM under control before you try to get pregnant. Plus, he or she will make sure your medicines are safe to take during pregnancy. пїЅ пїЅ

What will my life be like? " пїЅ It depends on your individual situation. Some people with PM have only mild symptoms. But many people have more bothersome symptoms that last years. пїЅ пїЅ

PM can also cause other types of long-term medical problems. These include lung and heart problems. пїЅ пїЅ

All topics are updated as new evidence becomes available and our peer review process is complete. пїЅ пїЅ

This topic retrieved from UpToDate on: Nov 04, 2014. пїЅ пїЅ

Topic 83085 Version 4.0 пїЅ пїЅ

Release: 22.8 - C22.206 пїЅ пїЅ

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Polymyositis

The Basics

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