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Symptoms
By Mayo Clinic staffSigns and symptoms of polymyositis usually appear gradually, so it may be difficult to pinpoint when they first started. They may also fluctuate from week to week or month to month.
Progressive muscle weakness is the most common polymyositis symptom. It typically affects the muscles closest to the trunk, such as those in your hips, thighs, shoulders, upper arms and neck. The weakness is symmetrical, affecting both the left and right sides of your body, and tends to gradually worsen.
Although the muscle weakness starts subtly, after it progresses over the course of the disease it can make it difficult for you to climb stairs, rise from a seated position, lift objects or reach overhead.
Other polymyositis signs and symptoms include:
- Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)
- Difficulty speaking
- Mild joint or muscle tenderness
- Fatigue
- Shortness of breath
- NINDS polymyositis information page. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/polymyositis/polymyositis.htm. Accessed May 21, 2009.
- Baer A. Advances in the therapy of idiopathic inflammatory myopathies. Current Opinion in Rheumatology. 2006;18:236.
- Dalakas MC. Inflammatory disorders of muscle: Progress in polymyositis, dermatomyositis and inclusion body myositis. Current Opinion in Neurology. 2004;17:561.
- Miller ML. Clinical manifestations and diagnosis of adult dermatomyositis and polymyositis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed May 8, 2009.
- Di Martino SJ, et al. Newer therapeutic approaches: Inflammatory muscle disorders. Rheumatic Disease Clinics of North America. 2006;32:121.
- Koski CL, et al. Intravenous immunoglobulin use for neurologic diseases. Journal of Infusion Nursing. 2006;29:S21.
- Amato AA, et al. Treatment of idiopathic inflammatory myopathies. Current Opinion in Neurology. 2003;16:569.
- Oddis CV. Current approach to the treatment of polymyositis and dermatomyositis. Current Opinion in Rheumatology. 2000;12:492.
- Walker UA. Imaging tools for the clinical assessment of idiopathic inflammatory myositis. Current Opinion in Rheumatology. 2008;20:656.
- Miller ML, et al. Initial treatment of dermatomyositis and polymyositis in adults. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed May 8, 2009.
- Miller ML, et al. Treatment of recurrent and resistant polymyositis and dermatomyositis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed June 15, 2009.
