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Dr. Andrew Rynne
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Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Dermatomyosytis, Have Weakness In Lower Back, Difficulty In Swallowing. Chest X-ray Normal. Cause?

I found out I had dermatamyocytis since I was13 I am now 47 I never had any symptons til last yr I started having weakness in my lower back felt like my muscles I kept telling my Drs but no one ever said it might be my disease, I am so bad now I can barely walk no muscle strength. hard to swallow and my chest alwaays feels like I have to cough , my back of my neck and upper back kill me,when one question I have is does it affect your muscles in your stomach because it seems I have real weakness there, I had a chest xray it said it was normal, I ve taken plaquenil and I.m now on 14 mg of steroids and 6 pilss of methrotrexate nothings helping I m very scared do you know anything of this disease sry 15 mg steroids
posted on Thu, 31 Jan 2013
Twitter Sat, 30 Nov 2013 Answered on
Twitter Sat, 30 Nov 2013 Last reviewed on
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Cardiologist,  's  Response
Dear patient,

Thanks for the query. Indeed, dermatomyositis can affect virtually any skeletal muscle, including the muscles of the abdominal wall. Some patients do not respon to the usual oral medications, and sometimes they are good candidates for the injections called "biologicals"; I would advise you to talk to your rheumatologist about these immune-modulators to see if they are a reasonable option for you.



Hope that helps, wish you the best,

Dr Brenes-Salazar MD
Mayo Clinic MN
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Dermatomyosytis, Have Weakness In Lower Back, Difficulty In Swallowing. Chest X-ray Normal. Cause?

Dear patient, Thanks for the query. Indeed, dermatomyositis can affect virtually any skeletal muscle, including the muscles of the abdominal wall. Some patients do not respon to the usual oral medications, and sometimes they are good candidates for the injections called biologicals ; I would advise you to talk to your rheumatologist about these immune-modulators to see if they are a reasonable option for you. Hope that helps, wish you the best, Dr Brenes-Salazar MD Mayo Clinic MN