Is there any treatment of Myositis?Treatment varies, depending on the type of myositis.
- Idiopathic inflammatorymyopathies. For polymyositis and dermatomyositis, doctors usually begin treatment with a corticosteroid drug, such as prednisone (sold as a generic) or methylprednisolone (Solumedrol,others). If this fails, methotrexate(Rheumatrex) or azathioprine (Imuran)may be added.
Intravenousimmunoglobulin (an injection of antibodies collected from blood donors) may be effective in cases that fail these other treatments.Other immunosuppressant medications may be recommended to treat resistant dermatomyositis and polymyositis, including cyclosporine, rituximab, mycophenolate mofetil orcyclophosphamide. Unfortunately,there is no reliably effective treatment for inclusion body myositis, although corticosteroid treatment and immunosuppressive therapies (as with polymyositis and dermatomyositis) are often tried forat least several months. If treatment is effective, ongoing therapy may improve strength or prevent worsening weakness.
- When myositis accompanies another autoimmune disease (such as SLE),treatment of the underlying disease may be helpful; otherwise, treatment of the myositis is similar to that of polymyositis and dermatomyositis.
- Infectious myositis. Ifyou have the flu, you should rest inbed and drink plenty of fluids. You also can take non prescription medicines for fever and muscleaches. If you have trichinosis, your doctor may treat you with mebendazole (Vermox) or albendazole(Albenza), antibiotic drugs that kill the trichinosis parasites. In addition, you should rest in bed and take nonprescription drugs for pain. Your doctor may also prescribe prednisone to reduce inflammation associated with the infection. For pyomyositis, your doctor may recommend drainage of the abscess by making an incision or by inserting a needle. In addition, he or she will prescribe antibiotics to fight theinfection.
- Benign acute myositis.Your child's doctor will prescribe medication for pain. No other treatment is necessary, because the illness usually gets much better within a few days.
- Myositis ossificans. Your doctor may wait to see whether the bony lump disappears on its own. Ifit doesn't, he or she may recommend surgery to remove the lump.
- Drug-induced myositis. Your doctor will discontinue any medication thought to be causingmyositis. Medications called corticosteroids may help you to recover faster.
- You may also want to add whirlpool baths, heat andgentle massage.
- Rest.Getting enough rest is animportant component of managingmyositis. Take frequent breaksduring the day and limit youractivity.
- Nutrition. What you eat can affect your overall health. At CIDPUSA ,a trained nutritionist is on hand to help design a diet that's right for you and yourlifestyle. Learn more about our Nutritionist. (link toNutrition)
- Reductionof Stress.It is imperative that myositispatients find outlets for thedaily stress that most of ushave in our lives. To that end,your doctor may suggest exerciseas a form of relaxation, likeyoga, or biofeedback exercises.
In many cases control of inflammation by IVIg andsteroids helps the case.
LifestyleManagement Changes Exercise.After drugtreatment takes effect, aprogram of regular stretchingexercises prescribed by yourdoctor can help maintain rangeof motion in weakened arms andlegs. Physical therapy may also helps prevent permanent muscleshortening. - Infectious myositis. Flu symptoms usually last three to seven days. In trichinosis, symptoms peak inabout three weeks, and then gradually subside. For pyomyositis, your doctor will drain the abscess and you will be given antibiotics. Once the infection isgone, healing can start. Recovery can take weeks or even months in people with chronic illnesses.
- Benign acute myositis. Patients usually recover within three to seven days.
- Myositis ossificans. In somecases, the bony lump disappears on its own. However, this can take a few months. If the lump does not go away, it may remain indefinitely or your doctor can remove it surgically.
- Drug-induced myositis.Symptoms usually disappear once you stop taking the drug. However, this can take weeks or months.
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