Symptoms of Dermatomyositis

General information about symptoms of Dermatomyositis: The symptom information on this page attempts to provide a list of some possible symptoms of Dermatomyositis. This symptom information has been gathered from various sources, may not be fully accurate, and may not be the full list of symptoms of Dermatomyositis. Furthermore, symptoms of Dermatomyositis may vary on an individual basis for each patient. Only your doctor can provide adequate diagnosis of symptoms and whether they are indeed symptoms of Dermatomyositis.

List of symptoms of Dermatomyositis: The list of symptoms mentioned in various sources for Dermatomyositis includes:

• Bluish-purple skin rash - rash appears on face, neck, shoulders, upper chest, elbows, knees, knuckles, and back.
• Hardened bumps of calcium deposits under the skin
• Muscle weakness - leads to various symptoms
  • Muscle atrophy
  • Difficulty rising from chair
  • Difficulty climbing stairs
  • Difficulty lifting objects
  • Difficulty reaching overhead
  • Dysphagia
  • Shoulder muscle weakness
  • Hip muscle weakness
  • Upper leg muscle weakness
  • Upper arm muscle weakness
• Throat muscle weakness
  • Difficulty swallowing
  • Regurgitation
  • Voice changes
• Muscles ache
• Tender muscles
• Joint stiffness
• Joint pain
• Fatigue
• General discomfort
• Weight loss
• Low-grade fever
• Nausea
• Raynaud's phenomenon
• Skin rash
• Muscles of face, hands or feet usually not affected.

Symptoms of Dermatomyositis: Dermatomyositis is characterized by a rash accompanying, or more often, preceding muscle weakness. The rash is described as patchy, bluish-purple discolorations on the face, neck, shoulders, upper chest, elbows, knees, knuckles, and back. Some patients may also develop hardened bumps of calcium deposits under the skin. The most common symptom is muscle weakness, usually affecting those muscles that are closest to the trunk of the body (proximal). Eventually, patients have difficulty rising from a sitting position, climbing stairs, lifting objects, or reaching overhead. In some cases, distal muscles (those not close to the trunk of the body) may be affected later in the course of the disease. Trouble with swallowing (dysphagia) may occur. Occasionally, the muscles ache and are tender to touch. Patients may also feel fatigue and discomfort and have weight loss or a low-grade fever. ¹

The most common symptom is muscle weakness, usually affecting those muscles that are closest to the trunk of the body (proximal). Eventually, patients have difficulty rising from a sitting position, climbing stairs, lifting objects, or reaching overhead. In some cases, distal muscles (those not close to the trunk of the body) may also be affected later in the course of the disease. Trouble with swallowing (dysphagia) may occur. Very rarely, the muscles ache and are tender to touch. The disease may be associated with other collagen vascular, autoimmune or infectious disorders. ²

More symptoms of Dermatomyositis: In addition to the above information, to get a full picture of the possible symptoms of this condition and its related conditions, it may be necessary to examine symptoms that may be caused by complications of Dermatomyositis, underlying causes of Dermatomyositis, associated conditions for Dermatomyositis, risk factors for Dermatomyositis, or other related conditions.

Medical articles on symptoms: These general reference articles may be of interest:

• Symptoms of the Silent Killer Diseases
• Symptoms and Medical Malpractice

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