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.

317 Members

2,891 Posts

0 Online

angie1026 09/08/2011

I am scheduled to see a surgeon on Monday for a surgical consult for a muscle biopsy on my upper left deltoid to help confirm my dermatologist and rheumatologist diagnosis of DM. I plan on discussing this more with the surgeon, but I'm concerned I'm possibly putting myself thru this for no reason. 1) my rheumy said that even if it comes back inconclusive because of the DM, that isnt going to change his mind that I have DM. 2) I know the prednisone CAN cause an inconclusive result. I guess my question is, is there any other benefit to having a muscle biopsy OTHER than just confirming the DM diagnosis? Thanks all! :) Oh...just as a reminder...I have been on Prednisone or Medrol for 2 weeks at this point.

La7de 09/08/2011

Hi Angie,
I asked my surgeon the same thing and he said it was important so that they could customize my medication and treatment. I don't know if that was just a line or not but that is what he said..
Hugs,
Lauren

luckybee 09/08/2011

Angie,
Did you have a skin biopsy that was conclusive for DM? If so, and if all the other tests (CPK, other blood labs, EMG, etc.) support the DM diagnosis, then I probably would question the need for a biopsy at this point.

However, if the other findings are negative, vague, or inconclusive then you probably should go ahead with the muscle biopsy. There are many other disorders that cause muscle weakness and muscle pain, and there are many sources of rashes, too. I really wouldn't want to be taking all these toxic drugs if I wasn't absolutely sure I had DM.

Good luck with your decision!
~Lucky

angie1026 09/08/2011

I did have a skin biopsy which was consistent with DM. My CPK level was 516 initially. My white blood cell count has been low for several years. All other labs are normal right now. I'm sure I probably will go ahead with it if that is what my docs recommend. I just hate to put myself through something like that if it isnt going to make a difference one way or the other in my treatment. If it can, then I guess it is worth it!

deleted_user 09/08/2011

My opinion is...if your cpk is elevated, you should have the biopsy. Even with the prednisone, they can see to what extent if any, the damage is to your muscles. There's still something not quite right with the cells with these disease processes.

And...even if inconclusive...it's not negative and good to have for the "global assessment".

Good luck!

angie1026 09/08/2011

Good point on checking the extent of the damage to the muscles. Thanks everyone! I just love all you strangers so much! ;)))

nanny1611 09/08/2011

Angie,
Isn't it nice to have a great group of people on whom to bounce questions and ideas? And the best part is that each one of them understands what we're going through.

Join the Conversation