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.

317 Members
2,891 Posts
0 Online
Muscles & Bones
/ Polymyositis & Dermatomyositis Support Group

Swelling?

okapi2
okapi2
Hey everyone,

I haven't been on much lately as I have no computer at the moment... but was wondering, has anyone else had problems with swollen feet or ankles? Mine, especially my left foot, are really swollen and purple. They feel bruised. I am on Imuran, but no prednisone.

I feel like I ask the doctor about this constantly but they have no answer for me.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Swelling around the ankles is common, but not sure about the discoloration, though. If you are bruising, the imuran could be a problem. The left being more swollen than the right might also be an issue. Please let your doctor know.
trpt1
trpt1
I get swelling around the ankles, in my face, and hands. I have noticed that as I taper down the puff gets bigger for a while then it goes down. My doctor does not have an explanation for this either. The palms of my hands are very red. The tips of my fingernails are very red under the nails. I do not have an answer but I am on MTX and it sounds like we have the same issue.
deleted_user
deleted_user
I have swelling in my hands, feet/ankles and face. It was worse when I was in the peak of my flare but even though I am doing better in terms of strength the swelling continues. My doctor says it may be from the prednisone but I dont agree because I had it long before I was on prednisone. It has really been like that all my life and just got much worse this year. I think it is from the disease, excess toxins or cellular waste in the intersistal fluids. I do have good days and bad days with it, it even fluctuates throughout the day. It always seems lesser after I swim, that helps the lymphatic flow. Cool air also makes it decrease as heat increases it. I have it bilaterally , since your one foot is more swollen and discolored I think that needs medical attention.
deleted_user
deleted_user
This is a good question I have been having swelling problems also but not just my feet or ankles, my whole leg bot of them. while i was in mexico they doubled in size especially my left leg tripled....very crazy. now that i am home they have come down again. i figured it was because of my kidneys but maybe not????
deleted_user
deleted_user
My mom says my feet have been swollen since i was born and I've been very autoimmune since I was 16 (i'm 42 now).
Potterlassie is right; can be very common w/rheumatology&autoimmune issues. The bottoms of my feet turn bright red and "puff" up a bit when i'm having a flare. Took me a while to figure it out. My PT was shocked on day, he said he had only seen feet that red with marathon runners!
Also, recently was in Hawaii and my feet swelled up...looked like little pineapples. Sometime pressurization (ie airplanes) can do that too.