Hi BNY. Can't comment on the hormones as too old for that now !!! My voice has been vey weak and at times almost disappeared. It also changed in that I did not sound like myself. At the first three months of treatment I could almost tell how I was doing by my voice. It is much better now and so am I but I don't think my voice will ever be as strong as it was. Hope this helps and all the best to you. Autumm

Can't address the hormone issue, because I've had a hysterectomy. And it's difficult for me to address the speech involvement, because I have a paralyzed vocal cord, which means my voice is always weak and I have difficulty being heard. But I do know that myositis can cause swallowing problems, as I have had them. Once you are stabilized, the swallowing should get better, although your doctor might send you for some therapy to teach you coping skills to help with your swallowing.

I did have another thought, however. Have you been checked for thyroid problems? I believe some thyroid issues can cause swallowing and voice problems, which could be cyclical. You might want to check with your doctor. Best wishes to you.

Hi Bny806. I do have lisps on occasion. The thing that really bugs me is my CRS (Can't remember something) that effects my brain.

I have occasional swallowing difficulties. I have an even bigger issue with GERD at night. I will try to sleep and acid comes right up my esophagus. I would rather drink water to keep it down than take too many omeprazoles.

I am post menopausal (yes, lucky me!). Your doctor could answer the question about hormones affecting YOUR symptoms. Hormones can make anyone feel bad. I also suggest looking on the internet to see if there are any articles or current studies on hormones and DM. I am not aware of hormones exacerbating the actual disease of DM. You do raise an interesting topic. I am interested in hearing if hormones have caused a direct problem with DM in anyone here.

Thank you for your post!

Yes! The First Two Days Of My Menstral Cycle Are Always Worse! Its Like Clockwork. There Must Be A Dip In Some Hormone That Makes Symptoms Worse? Maybe Estrogen? I Have Noticed SOme Days myy Muscles In My Face Dont RealLy Want To Work When Im Talking. Kind Of Hard To Explain?My Face Almost FeeLs Lazy.

Thanks yall so much!!! Yes, carla- my face does the same thing!! I will try to say something, and it's like my lips don't move enough.. I even drool when symptoms are bad (not a lot, but enough)! I feel like I have slurred speech when symptoms are bad (no one else has noticed they say)..

Yup, everyone has suspected my thyroid all along, but it's ALWAYS stone cold normal!

The hormone thing is just a pain, as It really really gets to me,, as does heat! When it's hot out I feel like an elephant is sitting on my chest- I can barely breathe and my hips and shoulders are mush! Does heat affect yall?

I had swallowing difficulties during my last really bad flare back in July. I haven't had any since my last round of IVIG and IV SoluMedrol. However, I do notice my speech is jumbled and seems to run together at times, especially on my cycle. I'm not sure if the increased fatigue around the around has anything to do with it. I definitely have a hard time making D and T sounds, as well and B sounds. My lips and tongue don't want to go where they're supposed to.

Heat affects me tremendously. My shoulders feel liquified almost, my heart starts pounding, my breathing becomes shallow and fast, and I have exacerbated sternocostal pain. It almost feels like I have pleurisy. It's just a burning, nagging pain in my chest.

Sorry, meant to say *increased fatigue around the cycle*

OH my goodness bwat! that sounds exactly like myself!!! T's are the hardest for me.. and I have the same chest symptoms too.. ugh.. when it's humid here I feel like I am not going to have the ability to inhale the thick air.. ugh..

Did any of you have a normal emg, but were diagnosed with muscle biopsy?? I have normal emgs- but I have obvious muscle wasting.. they all say it's something autoimmune.. (my ANA is always elevated).. The dr's haven't done a muscle biopsy, (I see neuro and rheumy), they don't think it's necessary, but I say they have done everything else, why not that?

I have issues twice a month: ovulation and periods. The issues last for about a week each - lovely. I get the slurred speech, muscle weakness, feel like there's an elephant squashing my lungs, mechanic's hands (no matter the weather), swollen eyelids (and other things, too), extreme exhaustion, strange cat-like scratches ( I do NOT own a cat), and sometimes it feels like there is fizzy water in my veins instead of blood. Weird, but true. Hormones are very powerful and I have heard that once menopause hits, sometimes the severity of the DM symptoms lessen, but from the sounds of all of your posts, I am going to guess not. Hang in there everyone! It's nice to know we all understand each others issues!!
momcoach

I feel horrible during my period as well, but I guess I feel horrible every day now. I am only 41. Why do we have to suffer through this debilitating disease, the scary side effects of the medicines (that are not good) but the only thing that can save us, and the discomfort of a monthly period. There are only 4 weeks in a month.

Have not had the swallowing problem but have had the speech problem from time to time. The speech problem has been more where I feel like I'm stammering than anything else. Can be hard to get certain words out from time to time as well.
It is a little bit more than noticeable to me but I asked others they claim they don't see any change in my speech patterns. But I feel them I hear them and I know they are there; I have both PM DM.