I too have PM with Asymtomatic ILD. I too am stable. I cannot answer your question as I have not had a chest infection since diagnosis. My Rheumatologist insists I have the flu shit every year and the vaccine against Pneumonia which is given every ten years. What medications for this disease is your Mother tsking. Autumm

Hi Kendrac26, You are asking the golden question of what causes a flare. I can tell you that doctors do not know what triggers DM/PM flares. You will get a lot of opinions on this subject. It is possible that flare causes may be triggered differently for each person. We do know that flares are an indication of active DM/PM disease.

Keep in mind that many people do go into remission with DM/PM. Your mother should work with the doctor on her ILD. Work on adjusting medications to feel well. Eat a healthy diet and exercise as the doctor allows. It is all about disease control and feeling your best on a daily basis. Your mother would have some thoughts on her flare and lung relationship idea. This is a good topic to run past the doctor too.

Hi Everyone. I have just noticed a naughty spelling mistake on my last post here. I do apologise to you all, I meant 'flu shot'. There are days when my brain does not know what is doing, or does it, maybe it was. Freudian slip. I am so sorry. Autumm

Now that's funny !! I had read it as flu shot until you had mentioned the error. Thanks for the laugh autumn.

Now apparently ....

Aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosnt mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoetnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be at the rghit pclae. The rset can be a total mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit a porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Amzanig huh?

Can't help ya sorry Kendra.

Hi PrayPerse. Thank you for your kind words. I do feel very embarrassed. Autumm

Autumn, No need to be embarrassed. I think you expressed well what we all think of medications. I take the flu shit every year too, but it is not a live virus shit. HA!

Pray, Very funny.

That is very funny Trpt. Thank you. Autumm

Meow,

You're okay, autumm...lots of times the crap in this disease (PM or DM or IBM) is s**t. And I hear ya about the brain freeze...sometimes I just can't type what I wanna say. And this site doesn't allow for edits.

I learn a lot from you, friend.

kendrac, have your mom ask her Dr about trpt1's advice. It's good. Also, I never take Pneumonia or Flu shots. They give me the virus.

Purr,
=^.,.^=

Hi Buttercup. The flu shot is a dead virus so cannot give you a cold or flu. In the early days it was different. These days for us its an essential vaccine because we are so immune suppressed. My Rheumatologist insists on it. Best wishes. Autumm