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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Muscles & Bones
/ Polymyositis & Dermatomyositis Support Group

I hate this disease

mccourtjs
mccourtjs
I had tapered my prednisone down to 6 mg and was taking 1500 mg cellcept, .8 mg MTX, and IVIG once a month, but I had a lot of pain and didn't feel great. A few weeks ago, my rheumy adjusted my meds to 10 mg prednisone, 3000 mg cellcept, and .6 mg MTX. I felt great for 2 weeks. That is when I started to feel sick. My stomach was/is very gassy and bloated, it feels like I have a UTI, and I think I have a yeast infection. I did go to my PCP yesterday who put me on an antibiotic and gave me a pill for a yeast infection, but I have now missed 2 days of work and have been extremely tired. If you have any thoughts on any of this, I would appreciate hearing from you. The 2 weeks of feeling great was a tease only to be reminded that in a second it can all be taken away. On a good note, I am so much better than I was a year ago and my blood work has been within normal ranges, but feeling a bit discouraged.
nanny1611
nanny1611
So sorry to hear of your new problems, mccourtjs. It is frustrating at best, because it seems like when you conquer one facet of this disease that you are blind-sided by another. Glad you saw your doctor, and hope you feel better soon.
autumm
autumm
Hi there McCourtjs. You sound really down. I think it's the antibiotics and you will be ok when they are finished. Opportunistic infections go with the suppression of our immune systems. Keep on top of the UTI and send a sample to the lab each time you finish the sntibiotics to check it's clear.,because your immune system is low it may take a few doses of the antibioticd to clear the UTI, but you will clear it and feel better. I had one last Summer and it eventually went.I am just recovering from a staph infection in my face which was painful and annoying. You have come so far, you are doing so well, you will get through this. Thinking of you. Best wishes. Autumm
trpt1
trpt1
Hi Mccourtjs, I get a yeast and female bacterial infection about once every three months. I do think the yeast & infection are due to the meds. I will zip into the OB gyn for my refill of Metronidazole gel (which incidentally also helps the gassy, bloated stomach!) and I will get an OTC yeast med. I will not use the Fluconazole pill for yeast since the pill can do a number on my fatty liver. The OTC yeast med is not as strong, but I will still throw up on the third day taking the med due to liver issues.

After I get finished with the yeast & infection, I will eat yogurt and take a lactobacillus pill for a couple weeks to restore good flora to my gut.

I also have a sluggish intestine and I eat bran cereal and cruciferous veggies to keep my pipes moving. I eat several small meals a day instead of three big meals. The small meals along with the bran helps a great deal to avoid the annoying stomach issues.

I also get extremely tired and it is due to my liver/kidney disease. I will sometimes throw up without warning, so I keep a gallon size plastic bag in my purse just for those special moments. Any time that I feel bad or off then I run blood pressure and blood sugar tests. I drink Gatoraid if my BP and/or my blood sugar are low.

I know you will feel much better when your infections clear up. Great job on working to keep your blood work in-range! Infections are a miserable feeling, but you will feel better quickly when it all clears up.

I see a gastroenterologist for my liver and stomach issues. My GI doctor is excellent (not to mention good looking too.)

I hope you feel better quickly. Best Wishes.