Hi Jennifer, My muscle biopsy sort of hurt for about a week. It was red for several days and became a little itchy. I made sure not to get the stitches wet. Watch the healing carefully and it does take some time. My muscle biopsy looked bad for at least two weeks before it began to appear like it was beginning to heal. Do talk with the doctor if you are concerned.

I always have days of moving forward or backwards. You will find that it is like two steps forward and one step back. This disease takes a lot of time and patience especially in the first year. I always sleep wearing socks too. Things that are uncomfortable change over time too. I am in my fifth year with DM. I now deal with lower abdominal pains on occasion and feeling mildly nausea in the morning. I find drinking water helps the nausea.

I am glad you are seeing some improvements. You will have a lot more clarity and direction after muscle biopsy results and knowing your autoantibody or anti-nuclear antibody. Keep us posted. Best Wishes.

Hi Jennifer. I don't think the dose of Prednisone is high enough to get on top of things and if you are getting worse and especially if it affects your swallowing speak to your Rheumatologist straight away and make some arrangements as to how you may contact him in an emergency. The biopsy results can take a while so you may have to go up on the Pred while you wait. Biopsy sites are different for different people and may take a while to heal, just watch for signs of infection like pain, redness or swelling. Best wishes. Autumm

Thank you both for such great input. Sometimes I find myself wondering if it's just me, or is something else happening, that's when it's good to have this kind of support and communication to help know if others experience such things.
.... I already can relate to the Lower abdominal pain. Though this started in Nov, last year in April I was in the ER with abdominal pain which never completely went away. Also pain in groin area, Doctors said it was Mesenteric lymphadenitis. Which is bacteria in lymph nodes of stomach, most likely bacteria from the recent upper respiratory / bronchitis infection I had been fighting. I can't help but to wonder if that's how this whole thing got started.
....my doctor has been in touch with me last week just to check on me. He wanted to be sure I had not worsened. Until the biopsy results he doesn't want to give me much, just trying to keep me out of pain. In case it's not PM or DM he will have to treat it differently and doesn't want the pred to take a unnecessary toll on me.
I am a little better today than last night, had went to the store friday with my husband aND take a ride yesterday. I think I just did too much. Guess at this point I am not ready to do anything. I do still work, It drains me but I love my job, having faith this will get better - thanks yall Jennifer

Jennifer. It will get better. You have not really started on proper treatment yet. Try to rest. No riding until you have begun treatment and the inflammation is coming under control. Reserve your energy to work if you have to work right now. Get as much rest as you can, let us know your results and treatment plan. Best wishes. Autumm

Hi Jennifer, I will look into the lymph inflammation and thank you so much for the heads up! It is always some surprise over time that seems to pop up.

I hope you find out soon on the muscle biopsy. More clues will come out slowly over time too. I had to learn to be very patient with this DM. Keep us posted, Best Wishes.