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.
It's bad enough to have this stupid disease and all of the side effects from the medication. Well, one of mine is super sensitivity in my legs and fragile skin from the prednisone. So last Thursday I hit my leg getting into the car. I was not used to the low car and let's face it, this disease makes you a little clumsy and awkward. At least it does for me. So I bashed my leg, it swelled up like a balloon, me yelling at my kids to bring me an ice pack or something to keep the swelling down. After 10 minutes I still left with the kids as I had promised to take my son to the store to buy a laptop as he had a good report card (he bought it himself - we're not spoilers!). They could not believe we were still going but I said it's not like I'm dying and besides, I promised them. I feel like only half a mother because of the things I cannot do physically so if I say we're doing something, we're doing it.
Anyway, I gave myself a large hematoma. It was pretty bad looking but the swelling did go down (not completely) so I thought I was in the clear. Then a real red spot appeared and the skin looked sketchy. I showed it yesterday to my wonderful physiotherapist (because I hate my family doctor after my hospital stay last year) and she said to go and see someone, it looked infected (see, I knew I could trust her opinion). As luck (haha) would have it, I was going to the hospital anyway to have repeat mammogram (because I'm lucky that way) so I stopped by the emergency room to have it checked out. After waiting around as soon as a doctor saw me he isolated me and said he was started IV antibiotics right away and I'd have to come in for 3-5 days to receive more antibiotics.
So here I sit with a stupid IV in my hand needing to go back to the stupid hospital. At least it's as an outpatient this time! But it's just so frustrating that I can't even get into a car without hurting myself and this is the result!!!
Anyway, I gave myself a large hematoma. It was pretty bad looking but the swelling did go down (not completely) so I thought I was in the clear. Then a real red spot appeared and the skin looked sketchy. I showed it yesterday to my wonderful physiotherapist (because I hate my family doctor after my hospital stay last year) and she said to go and see someone, it looked infected (see, I knew I could trust her opinion). As luck (haha) would have it, I was going to the hospital anyway to have repeat mammogram (because I'm lucky that way) so I stopped by the emergency room to have it checked out. After waiting around as soon as a doctor saw me he isolated me and said he was started IV antibiotics right away and I'd have to come in for 3-5 days to receive more antibiotics.
So here I sit with a stupid IV in my hand needing to go back to the stupid hospital. At least it's as an outpatient this time! But it's just so frustrating that I can't even get into a car without hurting myself and this is the result!!!
Such a strange disease and yes, very frustrating at times, but hang in there and feel better.
Kim
It's great that you'll be getting treatment as an outpatient this time. My insurance also covers in-home IV treatments, and you should check on that, as well. A specially trained infusion nurse stays at your home, so you can do pretty much whatever you feel like, and you'll also be away from the hospital environment where it's very risky for us to pick up even more infections. Wishing you good luck!
Lucky
Take care of yourself and hang in there!
So sorry to read your story. Yes, this disease does make one clumsy--or, in my case, clumsier. But, as the others, I'm happy that you listened to your physiotherapist and went to the ER. Who knows what would have happened if you hadn't been seen and diagnosed. Take care and best wishes for a quick recovery.
Hugs, Love and Prayers :-)
I hope it heals up quickly now. the fragile skin and bleeding can be a problem. I am very off balance with the DM and steroids, seem to need to hold on to the walls and such. Not fun, but i can get up and out once a day. I am trying to keep going, but it is hard.