Scared for my son. Please help w/comments *Update 4/16*

[Catty1]

HUGS! Thank goodness he will be all right!

I hope you can relax and get a good sleep - nite nite!

[dukedogsmom]

I'm so glad they found out what it was. Hopefully there will be no lasting effects and he will be back to normal in no time. I'm sure both you and he were scared. I know you must have felt helpless, being so far away. Maybe now you can get some sleep.

[Lizzie]

What a huge relief for both of you and I'm very glad it was nothing really serious or long-term. This information is from Medline:

"Myositis

Myositis is inflammation of your skeletal muscles, which are also called the voluntary muscles. These are the muscles you consciously control that help you move your body. An injury, infection or autoimmune disease can cause myositis.

The diseases dermatomyositis and polymyositis both involve myositis. Polymyositis causes muscle weakness, usually in the muscles closest to the trunk of your body. Dermatomyositis causes muscle weakness, plus a skin rash. Both diseases are usually treated with prednisone, a steroid medicine, and sometimes other medicines."

It does sound related to what Jenn's father had.

[Medusa]

Thanx so much everyone. I looked myositis up on webmd and found essentially the same info as Lizzie wrote from Medline. I guess you're more prone to get it if someone in your family has an autoimmune disease and I have both arthritis and fibromyalgia. I'm so glad that he went to the ER, though. He said that he no longer has a dr. and has been putting off getting a new one because every time he'd get sick, he could never get an appt., so he became annoyed and dropped him. I called my friend who is a nurse and she said that's very common, which is why so many people show up at the ER, especially after 5:00. Well, anyhow, I kept after him to go to a dr., so at least he went to the ER but I think he would've gone on his own anyhow. He was really scared. He said "I didn't even take a shower today because I couldn't raise my arms above my waist plus I was afraid I'd fall in the shower." That's awful for a mom who lives 2,000 miles away to hear and not be able to do anything about it.

As soon as I hear what the second dr. has to say, I'll update. In the meantime, I've got some serious thank you prayers to do.

[critter crazy]

Wow. I am so happy for you and your son that t is nothing serious! I couldnt even imagine what you have gone through, while waiting for him to call.

[Freedom]

Just having a diagnosis is a huge relief. And then to have hem say, "should be over this in 48 hours," WOW! Bet you both slept well overnight with all the tension released.

[moosmom]

Mary,

I'm so glad that he finally found out what it is. Let him know that Prednisone will increase his appetite and may make him bloat. But that is only temporary. I hope you had a good night's sleep, dear friend. You certainly deserve it.

(((((((((HUGS)))))))))))

Donna

[Medusa]

Thank you so much, Donna. Just reading the words "dear friend" comforts me when I can't be there to comfort him. The 3 hour time difference is maddening at times like this, waiting for him to call. Just knowing that the paralysis won't advance is a relief, though, for both of us. I'll keep you all posted, "my dear friends".

[Emeraldgreen]

I was just reading about Myositis and found an interesting quote about it:

"Most experts in the natural medicine field believe that many of these autoantibodies are produced by the body in response to an infection or allergen. When the offending infection(s) or allergen(s) are removed, the production of these destructive autoantibodies stops."

I know in one of your earlier posts you mentioned that the Dr. thought perhaps your son had picked up a virus. But if it 'could' be a response to an allergen or infection, it sounds like things could improve if the trigger was found. (if there is one to begin with).

I'm sure he's not up for 101 questions but maybe when he's feeling a little better in a day or two, he could try and determine if he's been exposed to any new things, foods, enviroments etc..

I hope that he will get better very soon. I know this must be so hard for you, especially since you are far away. I hope you get good news about it all in a day or two.

[Daisy and Delilah]

Oh my goodness! I'm just reading this. How scary for everyone. I can imagine how frustrating this is to feel like this all of a sudden and not making any progress after diagnosis. I would be beside myself with worry too. It's hard enough to have problems ourselves but when our children have problems, it's 100 times worse. I will keep all of you in my thoughts and prayers.

[ramanth]

I'm glad to hear it's treatable and nothing too serious. Prayers for a swift recovery!!