[jen723]

Hello,
I have terrible pain in my upper arms - sometimes an aching, burning pain - then also sharp shooting pains - weakness in my wrists, arms, knees, legs and ankles too. Also have some markings - like a rash - red spots - on my upper arms - I thought were from the sun ( they do get worse in the sun).
I just read on The Lupus Site about a muscle condition known as Myositis.
Does anyone here have these symptoms?
Is anyone here diagnosed with this?
What kind of testing goes along with it?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts,
Jen
:sad::sad::sad:

 

[Coastiewife]

I have myositis, it is, from what i understand, inflamation in the muscles. Mine got so bad at one point that my specialist told me to not excersise for a possiblity of actually hurting my muscles permanently.

It causes a lot of muscle fatigue and yes, pain and burning for me. i also have a great deal of weakness from it too.

As far as I know they check you CPK numbers for muscle involvement. But I could be mistaken too. i am sure someone will come along and have a good solid answer for you.

 

[x_claire_x]

My symptoms started in my arms and shoulders and that is where I still feel it first if my MCTD flares.... when I reduce steroids the arms and shoulders feel it the most and first.... I have overlap of several symptoms including myositis, I later became photosensitive... oh joy!! My bloods have always been ok apart from the auto immune markers obviously....... it is pretty common and you will have lots of people on here that recognise your symptoms...
Claire X

 

[x_claire_x]

PS you can have a muscle biopsy but most drs avoid that as it is costly!!!

 

[lazylegs]

Hi Jen,

Coastiewife was correct. The blood test is CPK.

The doctor would most likely run a few tests to rule out any other causes. Your CPK would be tested. An EMG would be run to check the muscle response with nerve activity. An MRI might be done to rule out any other causes. Depending on the other test results a muscle biopsy could also be ordered.

The following website gives more insight on Myositis.

http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/myositis/myositis/

Take care,
Lazylegs