Polymyositis & Dermatomyositis Support Group

Polymyositis (PM) is a type of chronic inflammation of the muscles (inflammatory myopathy) related to dermatomyositis and inclusion body myositis. The inflammation is predominantly of the endomysium in polymyositis, whereas dermatomyositis is characterized by primarily perimysial inflammation.

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mccourtjs 04/07/2014

So my blood work is coming back normal but I still have inflamed areas of my body such as my hands, face, elbows etc and although I have made progress, each day is different from being well to sick. If the blood work is normal, why aren't I?

angelamichelle 04/07/2014

How do you know its still inflamed? EMG? or is it evident?
thats great your tests are normal though :)

nanny1611 04/07/2014

Blood testing doesn't always tell the full story, mccourtjs. My neuro finally resorted to treating me clinically, because my blood work never seemed to line up with how I was feeling or with the neurological tests he ran each appointment. My former GP told me that I was unique and that most people would love to have my blood test results, but that I could be really sick without my blood work showing it. He also told me that blood change change rapidly, so the testing must be done at just the right time. He also mentioned that he had a patient whose blood work didn't show RA for 20 years.

Buttercup-Kitty 04/07/2014

Meow,

My rheumy advised me to get a muscle biopsy in order to get a we-have-no-doubt diagnosis. Glad I did...my muscles were loaded with PM.

Purr,
=^.,.^=

horseluvnhoosier 04/07/2014

My blood work is normal except for a high aldolase level. My muscles are so weak that I just feel something else is going on besides Fibro and CFS. So I am going to a specialist to see about a biopsy.

The rheum I just went to said that it can take years and years to show up in blood work. It's really kind of disheartening to feel so bad and have the blood work say you are fine. You start to worry that everyone thinks you are crazy.

autumm 04/08/2014

McCourtjs. I seem to remember you started a new second line drug not too long ago. Your blood work is good but it takes time for the Meds to do their job up to six months or in some cases a bit longer. It took me eight months on Imuran to turn the corner. Give it all a bit more time. Best wishes. Autumm

mccourtjs 04/08/2014

Thanks all. I am on MTX and prednisone which must be working because I use to have horrible numbers when I did my blood work. I know I am going to in the right direction because when I compare now to 3 months ago, I see progress.

trpt1 04/08/2014

Hi Mccourtjs, I agree with Nanny and others that blood work does not tell the entire story. I would like to mention that it is important that the doctor runs ALL the tests you need on blood work.

I also agree that it does take time for stuff to show up with DM/PM. My Scleroderma autoantibody did not show up until my third year with DM.

I hope you will be feeling better.

autumm 04/08/2014

Hi McCoutjs. I think it just takes a little more time. It does seem to be going in the right direction. Autumm

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