I'm sorry nobody has been able to answer this particular question, but perhaps if you tell us a bit about your medications and what makes it different from DM we can help a bit more. Welcome to the board!

Thank you for your response. Dermatomyositis antisynthetase syndrome is a rare form of DM. The ASS part of it mimics all of the other autoimmune diseases giving me symptoms of just about everything out there. It was extremely difficult to diagnose and I am not responding well to the traditional treatments for DM, prompting me to ask for the experience of others. In addition to all of the regular DM skin and muscle problems, there is a lung component that is tricky and symptoms of the other autoimmune diseases. I also have rheumatoid arthritis, and the symptoms of lupus, sjogrens, hashimotos thyroiditis, celiac and the list goes on.
I am on all of the regular DM meds, but am struggling. If there is anyone who has had success with this form of DM I would love to know what you have done.
I thank you in advance!

Thank you so much for the further description of your disease. I pray someone on this forum has some knowledge with this type DM and can provide some of the helpful answers you're looking for. In the meantime, hang in there and know that you have an entire forum of new friends for support.
Kim

You mention a lung component - maybe you should go to a good pulmonary doctor - I have PM with lung involvement and I'm on predisone and cellcept.. Hang in there and let us know :-)

I'm so happy that you have reached out to me - thank you! Fortunately, my rheumatologist also has a pulmonary specialty so he keeps close watch on my lungs. It's comforting to know there are people out there - I have felt very isolated.
Hugs to all,
momcoach

momcoach,
There are several people with antisynthetase syndrome who post regularly on the Myositis Association forum. You will probably get some good answers to your questions there. Go to:
www.myositis.org

Lucky

Hi I was recently diagnosed with DM on 01/04/11...I am being treated by a Rheumatologist. So far I am taking prednisone, Ivig, folic, Methotrexate in addition to my hypertension meds. These meds have been working for me along with physical and occupational therapy. My only challenge is the side effects from the prednisone. I am now being tapered off the prednisone and feel that I have taken a couple of steps back with my weakness. I was at 60mg a day, then 40, 30, 20 I now alternate 20mg and 17.5 and this is when I started feeling weak again and getting a lot of muscle spasms..Is anyone else experience?

Hi kkeane!
It's fairly common to have flu-like symptoms for 2-3 days after dropping to a lower dose of prednisone. Your body should re-adjust and the sympoms should go away in a couple days. If the weakness and muscle spasms don't go away or if they worsen, you might be having a DM flare and should see your doc.

I usually don't have any problems tapering prednisone until I'm down to 10mg. At that point, I go very slowly - 1mg every three months. I've never been able to completely come off prednisone, and I feel like a rollercoaster always going up and down.

Best wishes for a successful taper!

Lucky