What is dermatomyositis?

Dermatomyositis is one of a group of muscle diseases known as the inflammatory myopathies, which are characterized by chronic muscle inflammation accompanied by muscle weakness. The cardinal symptom is a skin rash that precedes, accompanies, or follows progressive muscle weakness.

How do members experience dermatomyositis?

Top 5 symptoms reported by people with dermatomyositis*

*Reports may be affected by other conditions and/or medication side effects. We ask about general symptoms (anxious mood, depressed mood, fatigue, pain, and stress) regardless of condition.

Top treatments taken by people for dermatomyositis*

*Data from patients with dermatomyositis, who have ever reported treatments, ordered by their reporting frequency during the last 5 years.

Compare treatments taken by people with dermatomyositis*

Treatment
Perceived effectiveness
Side effects
Total evaluations
Tried for
Treatment

(Prednisone Intensol)
Perceived effectiveness
for dermatomyositis (1 evaluation)
Side effects
increased anxiety insomnia
Total evaluations
1
Tried for
dermatomyositis (3)
Treatment

(Zyrtec)
Perceived effectiveness
No evaluations
Side effects
No evaluations
Total evaluations
0
Tried for
dermatomyositis (1)
Treatment

(Clobex)
Perceived effectiveness
for dermatomyositis (1 evaluation)
Side effects
Total evaluations
1
Tried for
dermatomyositis (1)
Treatment

(Gammaglobulin (IVIg))
Perceived effectiveness
No evaluations
Side effects
No evaluations
Total evaluations
0
Tried for
dermatomyositis (1)

*Data from patients with dermatomyositis, who have ever reported treatments, ordered by their reporting frequency during the last 5 years.

Who has dermatomyositis on PatientsLikeMe?

Age

Age Proportion # of patients
<20 1
20s 16
30s 30
40s 51
50s 84
60s 75
70+ 37

Distribution of sex

Sex

Sex Proportion # of patients
Male 29
Female 260