Lupus and Myositis Support

Lupus 

Lupus is the more common of autoimmune diseases that is mainly found in women. Lupus is an autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks it's tissue. In return it causes inflammation, swelling, joint pain, fever and a Lupus rash. The main thing is the feeling of being very fatigue and tired and the *butterfly* rash. can cause arthritis, skin sores, flaky or red sores on arms, hands, face, neck or back. Mouth or lips sores and red or purplish rash on face, neck, scalp, ears, arms and chest.

UV lights can irritate Lupus, as in tanning lights, black lights and too much sun. When you are exposed to too much sun a harsh rash can appear.

Just a few other symptoms that are possible are headaches, depression, anxiety or even memory loss. You may even loose or gain extreme amounts of weight when having a flare up. Temporary hair loss, swollen lymph glands, *Rhynaud's Phenomenon* and swelling of hands and feet are possible as well...

For some reason Lupus seems to be more common in Women and women of an African American descent.

This is the typical Butterfly Rash that is found in all three diseases.

 A rough idea of a Lupus rash on the hands.

 In Lupus the rash on your hands normally

remain in between the knuckles.

Dermatomyositis - DM

Dermatomyositis normally starts off with and odd fatigue or aches and pains of muscles. Normally with in your trunk area, upper arms hips and thighs. You feel stiff, sore and tender. The way i explained it when I first got sick was it felt like I was getting really out of shape. You will find it difficulty doing things like lifting your arms or climbing stairs, speech or swallowing problems.  A reddish purplish rash will develop over eyelids often swelling along with the *butterfly* rash. The rash may become scaly and dry. A rash also develops over arms, knuckles, elbows, or knees. Calcium deposits may form under the skin as well. They feel like rocks under the skin. The eventual affect can be GI (gastrointestinal)problems.

You can read my story (coming soon) as well to get a first hand idea on Dermatomyositis and how it can affect your life..

Typical rash for Dermatomyositis. In DM the rash is on the knuckles.

 Remember that, it can play a key factor in determing your disease.

 It did in mine.  

Polymyositis -- PM 

Polymyositis normally happens in women over 20. Once again starting off with gradual muscle weakness. Starting around the trunk area, neck, hips, back and shoulders. It has been found that people with PM they normally have another autoimmune disease.

You may also experience difficulty swallowing, falling and having a hard time getting back up, weakness of arms, thickening of skin on hands and fingers, difficulty getting up from chairs, climbing stairs or lifting arms above your head. Your muscle are tender to the touch. And a violet "rash" with swelling may be present around the eyes, over elbows, knuckles or knees. Both Myositis can be associated with Breast Cancer, ovarian cancer, lung cancer or colon cancer. Threat for such diseases are greater in those with Dermatomyositis.