Wednesday

Assessing my muscle disease

I am off to the specialist tomorrow.
That means today, and this week, I am assessing what I am up to as far as my health is concerned, specifically my myositis.
My muscle disorder causes weakness and pain and muscle wasting.

Myositis is an autoimmune disease caused by inflammation of the muscles.  I have been told I have Polymyositis which causes muscle weakness in the muscles closest to the trunk of your body including the upper arms and upper thighs.
Other symptoms include:
  • Fatigue after walking or standing
  • Tripping over
  • Difficulty getting to a standing position
  • Fatigue after walking upstairs
  • Trouble swallowing
So what will I be discussing with my specialist includes the new symptoms I have which include:
  • extra weakness noticed when trying to lift things
  • more frequent tripping (but not falling)
  • memory concerns
  • extra weakness in my chest
  • pain behind my right eye, right ear and on the base of the skull
  • increased finger and hand weakness with turning keys, using scissors, holding knives, chopping food and opening cans.
  • more tingling and numbness in lower arms 
I will be taking this list with me. I am not sure if all the things in my list are related to myositis but they need mentioning, in my opinion. Another thing I have found that I think is extremely useful 10-point functional rating scale for patients with inclusion body myositis (IBMFRS) which is posted here.
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