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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freelee 10/12/2013

Has anyone else experienced this? A sore throat which is constant and burning for about 4 months now!
ENT did every test and said nothing sinister though one lymph node in throat is enlarged slightly. They only take notice if the lymph node is larger than 1 amd mine was .8.
Have taken antibiotics and gargled for weeks but nothing helps. I also get a cough when I lie down.
Could it be Imuran - the only drug I am on?

lexisgirl 10/12/2013

I suspect you have reflux (also known as GERD). It isn't uncommon to get it on myositis with the meds we take. Be sure to have it checked because it can cause lots of damage to your esophagus if it goes untreated. I take a daily pill each morning and have been able to go on with my life.

For me, I didn't have the burning but at night I would think my throat was going to just dry up and go away. I would have a nasty taste in the back of my throat and of course, the cough.

autumm 10/12/2013

I had everything as Lexis described at diagnosis. I also had very sore muscles in my throat before treatment. Rheumatologist put me on Meds to protect my stomach from the Pred and Meds to protect my joints and bones from the Pred. Baseline bone scan also on starting the Pred. Hope you sort it out. Do you take Vit D3. Autumm

trpt1 10/12/2013

Hi Freelee. I would ask the rheumy about what your blood work says after taking the antibiotics. Enlarged lymphs and cough must go away. This is a season for the flu, so I would ask the doctor about that possibility. I also agree with Lexis about making sure the GERD is under control. If the problem stays after dealing with the GERD, then you will know that GERD is not the cause of the enlarged lymph & cough.

I read up on my meds using Drugs.com. The Drugs.com site gives good information on meds, side effects, and interactions with other meds. It is not a substitute for seeing the doctor, but the site is helpful.

Our sparring drugs may cause infections in the body. I get a female infection once every two months thanks to prednisone. I have recently added cellcept. I must watch the blood work. I have a fatty liver and an autoantibody that causes liver problems.

Keep talking to the doctor about your blood work. Hopefully the problems will go away soon.

I hope this helps. Keep us posted.

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