Myopathy in San Antonio

Advanced Diagnostic Testing

Myopathy is a muscle disease that occurs when muscle fibers fail to function as they should. Rather than a single condition, myopathies are a group of neuromuscular disorders that include both inherited and acquired types. At Neuromuscular and EMG Specialists of Texas, we offer diagnostic testing and treatment for myopathy in San Antonio, including polymyositis/dermatomyositis and necrotizing myopathy.

Polymyositis & Dermatomyositis

Polymyositis and dermatomyositis are disorders of the connective tissues of the body. Polymyositis results in muscle swelling and tenderness. Dermatomyositis causes symptoms in the skin, which may appear gradually or suddenly and range from mild to severe. These diseases are thought to have an autoimmune cause in which the body attacks its own muscles in a case of ‘mistaken identity’. Dermatomyositis has sometimes been associated with cancers elsewhere in the body; thus early detection and diagnosis is key. In some cases, pain and inflammation of the muscles may be caused by the use of statin drugs. When a statin is combined with other drugs, the risk of muscle damage increases.

The symptoms of polymyositis and dermatomyositis may include:

• Muscle weakness
• Muscle tenderness
• Shortness of breath
• Difficulty swallowing
• Tiredness
• Fever

In order to diagnose these conditions, we may order a muscle biopsy, an MRI, or an electromyogram. Depending on the severity of the symptoms, you might be advised to limit physical activity until the signs of inflammation have dissipated. A corticosteroid is often prescribed to help control inflammation. Many patients may not tolerate corticosteroids due to side effects, in which cases that are other therapies that can reduce a patients need for high steroid doses. Some people need to take higher doses or remain on the medication for a year or more.

Necrotizing Myopathy

In addition to polymyositis and dermatomyositis, we provide diagnostic care and treatment of necrotizing myopathy in San Antonio. People with this type of myopathy tend to have significantly less inflammation in the muscle tissue but more evidence of cell death, or necrosis. Necrotizing myopathy is thought to be due to an adverse reaction to statin drugs. Unfortunately, symptoms often persist after statins have been stopped, requiring other therapies to arrest the disease’s progression.