Symptoms of the disease

• Progressive muscle weakness that affects several muscles, primarily the muscles around the hips and the shoulder girdle (shoulders).

• Difficulty walking, getting up from a seat, or getting out of bed.
• As the disease progresses, an awkward gait and frequent falls.
• Excessive fatigue.
• Difficulty swallowing or breathing.
• Muscles that are painful or tender to the touch.

Special signs of polymyositis:

• Muscle weakness mainly appearing in the arms, shoulders and thighs on both sides at the same time.
• Headaches.
• The appearance of weakness in the muscles of the pharynx responsible for swallowing (swallowing).

Special signs of dermatomyositis:

Dermatomyositis appears in children between the ages of 5 and 15 or in adults from their late XNUMXs to early XNUMXs. These main symptoms are:

• A purple or dark red rash, most commonly on the face, eyelids, near fingernails or knuckles, elbows, knees, chest, or back.
• Progressive weakness of muscles near the trunk, such as the hips, thighs, shoulders, and neck. This weakness is symmetrical, affecting both sides of the body.  

These symptoms are sometimes accompanied by:

• Difficulty swallowing.
• Muscle pain
• Fatigue, fever and weight loss.
• In children, calcium deposits under the skin (calcinosis).

Special signs of inclusion myositis:

• Progressive muscle weakness affecting the wrists, fingers and hips first. For example, sufferers have difficulty picking up a heavy bag or suitcase and are easily tripped). Muscle weakness is insidious and the average duration of symptoms is six years before diagnosis.
• Muscle damage is usually symmetrical, meaning that the weakness is similar on either side of the body. However, it can also be asymmetric.
• Weakness of the muscles responsible for swallowing (in a third of patients).