Of course, as we all know with polymyositis (and perhaps DM. I don't know), the Quad muscles are generally affected (which affects getting up and walking, etc). Well, I'm no exception to that rule. When I was first in the hospital, my walking was actually fine. Granted, I HAD a few falls (which is what led me to leave school and come home to the hospital)...but I walked normally with proper knee extension and all. As time progressed, my walking had gotten worse (this was before they doubled the dose of methotrexate and added azathioprine). My knees now lock when I walk (which isn't good for my hamstrings I'd imagine). I think it's half mental (afraid of knee buckling) and half automatic because of the weak quads...that's how my body has learned to compensate. Has anyone else had any problems with their knees in terms of walking or bearing weight? My therapist is looking into getting me leg braces as a way of helping me walk (of course as a supplement, not as a way of fixing anything. We are still going to work on getting the strength back in my quads but the braces may provide a way of me at least being able to walk more when I DO walk). Man, if I can't even be comfortable with walking...not sure how I'll manage to go upstairs. But I hear stories of others with PM that can go up and down stairs, maybe not many but some. I hope that can be me.

Also. I'm curious. My CK started at 18,000 and is somewhere between 2000 and 3000 (I go to the Rheumy friday, so I'll have an updated CK then). I'm unable to get out of the chair on my own and my walking is as I described. How is everyone Else's mobility?Are you able to get up at all, or walk at all (with or without aid). I have met a person who has DM and isn't able to really get up well on her own, so she transfers...but her shoulders weren't as affected by myositis as mine were. Thanks~