A link between polymyositis and MS

[Vickilou]

My mother was diagnosed with polymyositis which caused her to become severely disabled. I have multiple sclerosis and my disabilty is similar to my mothers. i.e drunken gait in early stages. Is there a link please? Is there a faulty gene and is my daughter at risk (she is ok althoough clumsy)

[rowatarig]

I have polymyositis too. Polymyositis is associated with HLantigen-B27,and there are a document cases of multiple sclerosis which has been associated with the same HLA-B27. So there is a possibility to have the too diseases. However there is many other autoimmune disorders which link to that antigen , like systemic lupus eryhtromatosus and uveitis. But above all it is just a possibility

[Rasta15]

Who did you see at UCSF?  I have had two appt. there and now being referred to a muscle dis. specialist.  I have all normal tests, until my abnormal muscle biopsy.  It has been a frustrating two years.  UGH!  

[PamtheGreek]

I am presently just starting exercising in a yoga class for Multiple sclerosis  patients...I have Polymyositis.  We are finding similarities too.
They took so long in diagnosing my muscle disease that more muscles were affected here in  Modesto.  Advice get a teaching hospital in a big city near you...mine was San Francisco U. C.
They prescribed high doses of Prednesone, a steroid...that gave me osteoporosis...in San Francisco the Dr removed prednesone and put me on methotrexate.  What do MS patients take??  I am off all medicines for the disease  but lasting effects of muscle weakness are seen when getting out of a chair, climbing stairs. I have to push down on something solid...many people offer help but I need to hold on because when my arms are reaching out they are not strong...can't reach over my head.  How is it for you??
                                   PamtheGreek

[BetteB]

I recently read an article relating a protein found in Alzheimer's is same as a protein in myositis. Not sure what that means, mother/aunt have Alz Disease, I show more myositis as of latest news, but no biopsy done either. Mother has like physical symptoms as mine but not as severe, does have and her sister also, Alz D. Brother with same severe symptoms as mine...His spinal protein bands are high, but he refused MRI brain. So hard to tell where it all comes from at this point. I was raised in New England....

[sjvs]

I have the same question. My mother has MS and paternal grandmother has polymyositis. Obviously in my case I do not think these cases are related..however I too am aware that if you have a first degree relative with MS (or polymyositis) your risk to develop them is increased over the general populatio risk..I think for MS it becomes around 2.5% last I've read...not bad odds. I just have many other seemingly unrelated cases of autoimmune diseases in family members...all live in WV (who knows it could be environmental).

I don't think I have a condition, however I do have Raynaud's phenomenon, muscle twitching (mild), and lately difficulty swallowing (perodically)...I think my symptoms can be explained away...I think your question is very curious. Would love to have the answer.

[patsy10]

Autoimmune disorders tend to run in families.  My friend has polymyositis and she also thought it was a neurologic disorder for a long time.  The diseases are very different but the symptoms can be similiar.  In myositis the muscles are weak so the gait is off etc...In MS the nerves are damaged so the gait is off or there is a lesion in the brain causing balance problems etc....My friend has numbness, tingling etc from her muscle problems.  MS causes these symptoms too.  Several familiy members of my friend have autoimmune disorders.  They are all a little different and some of the problems they can't even diagnose.  they all have weakness and trouble walking.  None of them have MS.