I was bit by a Brown Recluse spider in Nov of 2007,shortly after started feeling achy and weak. The weakness continued but had no insurance to go to a Dr. until April 15th 2008. Dr. ordered blood work with revealed elevated liver enzymes. More blood work and a ultra sound show no Hepatitis or Hiv. Liver enzymes are 100 pts lower but still high and muscle soreness and weakness is getting worse. I can no longer walk up stairs or have any strengh in my arms or legs, have Atrophy in upper arms.Went to the Dr.(gastrologist) on 6/11/08 she ordered more blood work to test for muscle diseases. I'm afraid Im not going to be able to walk or end up dying before Dr.'s find out whats wrong with me.I have horrible insurance and my Dr.'s keep sending me back and forth to each other not knowing whats wrong. Starting to get depressed andsometimes cannot get up out of low chairs or even toilets! This should not be happening to me I'm 49 yrs old!
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I have long suspected my polymyositis was triggered/caused by a bite on my back. I experienced the worst pain in a radiating circle from the bite mark for 2 days. A few months later I started having issues walking and climbing stairs. In march of 2016 was diagnosed by a neurologist and confirm to have anti-SRP by a muscle biopsy. Most doctors have dismissed my idea of the bite on my middle back is connected.
May 31, 2017 - 10:56amThis Comment
I had same issues, spider has no effect, u need to see a Rheumatologist they will know what to check for, myopathy, lupus, polymyositis...etc etc u need to see one they specialize in muscular skelatal issuesu
April 30, 2011 - 8:39amThis Comment
Ycallaway,
Hey there. It's been a while since we've heard from you. The last time you wrote, you had had a biopsy and were on prednisone and cellecept, and you were getting some of your medicines through a patient assistance program. Did you regain strength? Are you still on the medicines? And did you find somewhere new to live?
Please let us know how you're doing.
November 27, 2009 - 9:38amThis Comment
I wonder why you are talking about how much stuff cost. or you are being put out i understand your condition but people be careful i was scammed this very same way feeling sorry for someone you can tell your condition without saying you need money or help. if someone here is nice enough to give you money then thats ok if your doctor puts you on disability or say you need it you have nothing to worry about you can always reapply online or over the phone if they lost your paper work i been tricked this way not to say that you are not telling the truth but it is questionable when you say how much stuff cost. or you are being put out they have many places that help you and if you are being evicted you better believe the courts and state will help you stay in your house for this very condition you have you have your rights too.
June 4, 2009 - 1:20pmThis Comment
Anon, let me see if I have your information right.
1. You started out with pain and when you went to a doctor for it, he did a blood test, is that right? CPK stands for Creatine phosphokinase; were there other things going on at the time as well, or things your doctor was worried about, such as your heart, brain, kidney or muscles?
2. And due to this test, he recommended a neurologist, but you were in the hospital before you were able to see the neurologist. You were told you had Rhabdomyolysis, which is a condition in which muscle fibers break down and release their contents (myoglobin) into the bloodstream, which can hurt your kidneys. At the time, did the doctors in the hospital think it was related to your thyroid?
3. After a week you had a normal CPK. But how much time had gone by before you had the test that showed 700 again? At this time you were told about the Polymyositsis, a condition that causes inflammation and muscle weakness.
4. What was it that was biopsied?
5. And you now will soon have an appointment again with your family doctor to discuss treatment of the inflammation of polymyositis?
Do I have those details right? Can you fill in the questions for me?
First of all, if I were you I wouldn't worry too much about the fact that it has taken a bit of time to get some answers. It's frustrating, but it's the way it happens sometimes, as doctors rule out some possibilities and symptoms present themselves that demand new explanations. It's horrible that you had to have an emergency trip to the hospital that lasted six days; i'm sure that was uncomfortable at best and frightening and expensive at worst. And it's infuriating that you didn't get all the proper information at the time. Argh!!! But it sounds like you're on a road to some proper information now, which is promising.
Do you have any other medical conditions going on?
What thyroid medicine do you take, and at what dose? Any other medications?
I ask because we can submit your question to one of our experts and see what they have to say while we wait to see if any readers have gone through similar experiences.
In the meantime, here's EmpowHer's encyclopedia page on polymyositis:
https://www.empowher.com/media/reference/polymyositis
Be sure to check out the great links on the bottom of that page that will take you to other sources of info on this.
and here's a page from the Mayo Clinic on polymyositis:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/polymyositis/DS00334
Were you given any medicine except your normal thyroid medicine when you left the hospital? Corticosteroids, for instance? Or physical therapy?
Please write back and update me and let's see if we can find out more for you.
April 27, 2009 - 9:18amThis Comment
Thank you Miss Diane for responding,My name is Melissa,I;am 39 years of age,to start
April 28, 2009 - 4:37pm1)I had hyperthyriod in Nov 08,Dec 08 was givin a radiation Iodine treatment.
2)Now Hypothryriod levels are good,taking 150 mcg Synthriod.
3)Cheif Complaint was sevre cramping, I couldnt begin how to explain it,felt worst then giving birth to a baby, thats how much it hurt.
Went to family dr several times,he did bloodwork such as calcuim and possatuim.come back fine.He would give me a shot for pain but didnt releive it.He then got in touch with a Neuro,but they couldnt get me in untill April, and this was early feb.
4)3-6-09 I was rushed to ER by Ambluance 2 hrs away, told I had Rhabdomyolysis was on iv FOR 6 DAYS.During the stay finally got to see a neuro and he said it was due to my thryriod, but my Endorologist said no cause my levels were ok.
5)Neuro has seen me 1 time in his office since, he ordered biopsy on my left deltiod.
6)Had biopsy done on 4-14-09
7)Neuro called on 4-23-09 stated biopsy come back and there was no major degeneration and he also stated he thought I had inflammation going on so he was going to send my records to my family dr, and have my family dr refer me to a Rheumy. Neuro also stated felt it was my thyriod still even after its been leveled for last 2 months.
8)Didnt find out about teating postive for polymyositsis untill 3 wks after I had come home,went back to family dr complaints still of pain,so he called Neuro,stated he had my records from hosiptal and I had tested positive for polym.
8)I now have trouble breathing, I get short of breath easily,so having a Echocradiogram done on 4-29-09.Also I'am very weak now, and I also now have problems with my fingertips when they get under cold water they hurt BADLY.
9)Only meds I was on were meds for epilepsy and lyica which neuro put me on, but they didnt help. so now I'am only on my thyriod med which is 150 mcg of Synthiod.
10)I know all of this is backwards what I'am telling you.
11) CPK still not normal and I'am still in pain and weak. Basically I'am not being treated for this diease.
Can you still have polymyositsis,when your neuro says NO major degeneration,but inflammation. CPK 398 still elevated and I still feel weak,still hurt,and now have some new htigns going on with me. ANy info is helpful. Thank you
This Comment
I'am a female 39 years of age, had thyroid problem in past, I been seeing dr's left and right. It started with a lot of pain in my neck, shoulders, hips. I noticed it would radiate from one side to the other and each day it would get worse. I seen my dr he said my CPK was 500 so tried to get me in to see a neurologist's, this was in Jan 2009, by March 2009 I still hadnt been able to see a neuro because of drs being booked. 3-6-09 I was rushed to ER admitted with a cpk of 4900 with serve muscle pain. I was flushed out with IV fluids for 6 days.Told I had Rhabdomyolysis.I was sent home taking my normal thyriod med,1 wk went by had cpk checked it was 300,went back for weakness and pain with my family dr cpk went up to 700.He called the neuro who seen me in hosiptal,said I tested postive for Polymyositsis. I was never told this in hosiptal.i seen this neuro week after being told this and he seem to think it was my thyriod, like he thought in the hosiptal.I had a biopsy come back no major degeneration,now my neuro is sending me back to my family dr so he can send me to a Rheumo,cause neuro says I have inflamation going on. So does anyone out there make anything of this? please help
April 25, 2009 - 4:33pmThis Comment
Give acupuncture and herbal medicine a try.
March 5, 2009 - 1:22pmThis Comment
UPDATE had muscle biopsy on 7/01/08.My Dr. had me admited to the hospital on 6/29/08 so he could get a surgeon to do the biopsy. He has me on Prednisone and also prescribed Cellecept.This drug is $945.00 a month. he also had me call the drug co. AND THEY ARE PUTTING ME ON a patient asist prg. I am still very weak my Dr. says my muscles are not damaged but it will still be awhile before I feel alot better. Unfortunately I live alone and missed alot of work.I was unable to pay my rent for this month and tried to get different churches in my area to help me. But help came too late and I've been evicted. I'm still trying to hold my head up and not let this get me down. I have to move tomorrow and not sure where I'm going as of yet. Things have to get better! My Dr. wante to put me on Disability but the state lost my paper work so I can only depend on myself. So i'm still working but very weak
July 25, 2008 - 10:29amThis Comment
Last year I was drinking heavily and was diagnosed with this. My doctor has advised moderation and I have since cut my drinking in half. However with a new blood test a week away I'm nervous. I wish to stop drinking until then. If alcohol is the culprit, will a week be enough time?
July 25, 2008 - 9:29amThis Comment