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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Trevor49 09/05/2014

Is it normal for your fingers to have a numb feeling. Everyday I wake up my fingers are numb and actual numb throughout the day. Also I'm very shakey which could be a side effect from prednisone or just weakness. I know the finger part is not a symptom of DM but I guess weird things happen with this disease. I also experience head pressure.

Trevor

autumm 09/05/2014

Hi Trevor. I had and still have numbness in two fingers of my left hand. Sometimes it's worse than others but I have learned to live with it. For about the first year of treatment the balls of my feet were numb but that is gone now. Never had the 'head thing' but have read it on the forum where others have it. The steriods can certainly make you shaky and anxious. This will take time Trevor, its a Marathon, it's never a Sprint. It was eight months into treatment before I turned a corner and its only now two years on with exercise I am getting real strength back. I have learned to have patience, Myositis needs patience as well as the right doctor and the right Meds. Best wishes to you, you WILL get there. Autumm

trpt1 09/05/2014

Hi Trevor, I do not get the numb fingers, but that can be common with DM/PM. You are at the beginning of this DM.

Be sure to read up on the side effects of your meds. I like to use www.Drugs.com . Be sure to discuss the numbness and head pressure with your neurologist too. The numbness and head pressure may just be the higher doses of prednisone, but the doctor should evaluate.

I was checked by my neurologist for Myasthenia Gravis (MG) at the beginning of my DM. Myasthenia Gravis will cause numbness, nerve issues and eyelid drops. I do not have MG. Myasthenia Gravis is an overlapping condition that some may have with DM.

This DM has many weird aches and pains. It is sometimes difficult to know when a pain means see the doctor or this will pass. It takes time to adjust to this DM. I made sure to see the doctor as she directed at the beginning of my DM. I am now in my fourth year with DM, and I see the doctor once every three months.

I hope this helps. Autumn is so correct about patience. I have learned great patience with DM. My relationship with The Lord Jesus has strengthen nicely. I rest on scriptures, prayer, and listen daily to my pastor's dvd's. Spiritual muscle is important.

Be sure to have plenty of meds available in case of flare or holidays. I have found that my flares happen on weekends, holidays, hurricanes, or just inconvenient times. I work with my doctor and I have a way of contacting her outside of regular office hours. It is important to have plan B set up with the doctor incase of odd situations.

Best Wishes.

freelee 09/09/2014

I often have numbness in 2 or 3 fingers but mostly in toes, feet and sometimes legs. I have PM for 10 years now, and it never really goes away just get worse and then less. What do you mean by head pressure? like a headache? I always seem to have a mild one. I guess you could call it pressure in the temples.

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