i have lots of other stuff, but not that. what is it?
thanks
tiff

Dermatomyositis (DM) is a rare auto-immune disease. When you look it up on-line you generally find a statement like "It may be related to lupus." Which I interpret to mean, the really don't know that much about it. But, basic symptoms are muscle pain and weakness mostly in the limbs, a rash on the knuckles of your hands, a butterfly rash on the face like lupus, and purple swollen eyelids. There are other rashes that can develop other places, but those are the three I have. With the medication I'm on, my eyelids are fine now, the rash on my face and hands is still there but lessened, and the muscle pain is mostly gone, but there's still weakness, especially in my legs.

Oh, and fatigue. Though I can blame my fatigue on the DM, anxiety, depression or medications I'm on! Whatever the cause, I always feel I need 10 hours of sleep a day, sometimes up to 15. I can generally tell the difference between depressed sleeping and actually feeling physically tired sleeping. Which helps because then I don't beat myself up for sleeping too much when it's a physical thing, and can at least attempt to kick myself out of bed when it is depression.

I was diagnosed with Hashimotos(Thyroid) about six months ago. I have to take synthetic thyroid hormones every morning so that I'm healthy and don't have the energy lvl of a slug.

I hope I don't get a bald spot at the back of my skull like some people do (after years of taking synthyroid - the medication I'm on).

However I don't know if it is more directly related to the abuse I suffered (we might never know) but I do know that Autoimmune diseases really run in my family.

hugs. i am sorry to hear about you going through all of that. i am sure its exhausting, both physically and emotionally.

hugs