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.
Well Yikes! As some of you may recall, I have been finally diagnosed (after 10 months of calling it "polymyositis" with "Immune mediated necrotizing myopothy". The docs finally decided that because of three things:
1) How quickly I went from an active lifestyle to being in a wheelchair or bedridden unable to roll over by myself
2) I needed three immune suppressing drugs to get blood panels back to normal and get my function back
3) Muscle biopsy showed lots of macrophages but no infiltrating inflammation in the muscle
Happily, these drugs have saved my life and I'm 90% of normal. Unhappily, the Imurane has irritated my gall bladder to the point that the docs were worried about pancreatitus - NOT a good thing to get. So, after some anxiety on the Rheumy's part, I had gall bladder removal surgery last Tuesday. In at 7am and home by 1:00PM. I was pretty sore yesterday, back at work today and about to go down for a nap.
I know some of you have had surgery and OK recovery while on MTX, Prednisone and Azathioprine (Imuran). What is healing time like? I'm not supposed to lift over 10 pounds for 3 weeks, or get back to swimming for 2 weeks. Surgery was laproscopic - how long did it take for incisions to heal?
Thanks everybody!!!
1) How quickly I went from an active lifestyle to being in a wheelchair or bedridden unable to roll over by myself
2) I needed three immune suppressing drugs to get blood panels back to normal and get my function back
3) Muscle biopsy showed lots of macrophages but no infiltrating inflammation in the muscle
Happily, these drugs have saved my life and I'm 90% of normal. Unhappily, the Imurane has irritated my gall bladder to the point that the docs were worried about pancreatitus - NOT a good thing to get. So, after some anxiety on the Rheumy's part, I had gall bladder removal surgery last Tuesday. In at 7am and home by 1:00PM. I was pretty sore yesterday, back at work today and about to go down for a nap.
I know some of you have had surgery and OK recovery while on MTX, Prednisone and Azathioprine (Imuran). What is healing time like? I'm not supposed to lift over 10 pounds for 3 weeks, or get back to swimming for 2 weeks. Surgery was laproscopic - how long did it take for incisions to heal?
Thanks everybody!!!
My experience has been that it takes longer to heal and you have to watch close for infection. I'm usually put on antibiotics before the surgery as a precaution. I think that is amazing they did it so quick and you are back to work. My sister was off work for 6 weeks.
Take it easy and take it slow. Really listen to your body and know it will probably take longer than they say. I'll keep you in my thoughts for a quick recovery!
I have not needed any major surgery yet. My mother had gallbladder surgery, and it only took a couple weeks to heal up.
I have you in my prayers. It is terrific to hear that you have made great progress. I am sure that you will be back to your old self soon. Keep us posted.
When I broke my leg in 2009, I needed surgery to repair the tibial plateau in my knee, and to have a support plate inserted. At the same time I had my muscle biopsy. Because of the surgery, doctors upped my prednisone. The incision was quite long, and it took awhile to heal. The staples were removed in a few weeks, but I had to keep the incision covered a certain way for a couple months. Of course, it didn't help that I had to wear a removable brace (hip to ankle) almost 24/7, which rubbed when I moved my leg. The only time I could remove the brace was for PT (which pulled the incision), or for bathing (which was unique because I couldn't put pressure on the broken leg for 6 months).
Hopefully your recovery will be quicker than mine, but it will probably take a little longer than normal. Best wishes to you.