Hi, I am also a very active Type A person. I just keep trying to stay on track with my workout schedule and it's tough. No one knows the pain and struggle I go thru to keep up and I'm not sure they would understand. I hope you have an understanding Dr., I have yet to find one other than the dermatologist that diagnosed me. Stay positive, it makes a big difference.

Hi there Melwally. There is life after Myositis. I have PM diagnosed fourteen months ago. I started with 60mgs Prednisone and 100mgs Azathioprine. I have now tapered to 1mg daily and will stop on 8th December. You should start to feel better fairly soon with the Pred. It took eight months for me to turn the corner and a year to feel normal. This disease is a marathon it's not a sprint. You will need time and patience but you too will get there. Everyone here will help and support you and have walked your journey so know what they are talking about. They are a great group of people. Stay in touch, we will walk with you. Autumm

Hi Melwally. Welcome to the group. I have PM. I was diagnosed in 2008 but probably had symptoms since 2004. It took a long time to figure out what was wrong. The Prednisone worked well for me. By the time I got it, I was really ready for a wheelchair. I was falling often and had a very difficult time with daily living. I was in a bad place. Even given that, after about 2-3 weeks on Prednisone, I started to feel better. After a month, I was also put on Methotrexate and started to taper my Prednisone. It took me a long time to get off Prednisone but I was able to do it in December 2012. Now I just take Methotrexate.

I think my case is pretty bad because I went so long before I got treatment. I also have cancer so that impacts me too. I don't think I am typical. So try to keep a positive attitude and when you find something you can't do, know that is possibly not the end of that activity and you can fight for it again. I always try to replace a lost activity with a new one I can do.

Hang in there. This is a great place for support and information.

Hi Melwally, Welcome to the group! Your meds will kick in and you will see improvement in a couple of months. Patience with yourself and being grateful for things you never considered happen with DM. Take one day at a time. Do not be hard on yourself.

Being a personal trainer will come in handy for you. I like to clean, but I must sit down a lot for frequent breaks. It takes two days for me to mow a one acre yard due to needing to rest.

The Myositis Association website is also a terrific site. You can read about the latest research and medications used for PM, DM, and IBM. I think you will find that site informative too.

Welcome to the group and keep us posted.

Hi Melwally. I too have DM and am fairly new to this site and have found it to be extremely helpful. Everyone here is so willing to share their journey and wisdom. It is wonderful to be able to ask people with the same disease for advice. Prior to finding this site, I had searched the internet and could only find general information on the disease. Take some time and read all of the posts which will give you a lot of information and if you have specific questions, just post. For me the prednisone worked almost immediately but there are side effects to prenisone such as hair loss and bone deterioration. This is an illness that can be put into remission but you have to be patient. I was diagnosed last spring and have made progress, but I still struggle,have not been able to work, have tried different meds along with prednisone and take one day at a time. We are all here to help you.

Hi, Melwally, and welcome to this forum of nice people, who are friendly and knowledgeable. Hopefully you will be encouraged here. It took 2-1/2 years for me to receive a diagnosis of PM in 2008. Then in Jan. 2011, I was told that I have overlapping DM and Lupus. For me, prednisone was the only med I needed, because it worked well, and after 3 years I was able to wean off it. I still battle inflammation, but somewhat keep it under control with a gluten-free diet and supplements. As Autumm said, there is life after myositis, even though it might be a little different than we were accustomed. The others have given good advice--stay positive, be patient with yourself, read the old posts, and look for what you can do whenever you must give up something. Once your doctors get you stabilized and turned around, life will get better. Best wishes to you.