Living with myositis
People experience myositis differently but there are shared ways to cope.
Living with myositis
Everyone experiences myositis differently. What some may find challenging, others may not. And while some react well to treatment, others may have additional health complications.
This means living with myositis can sometimes feel like a unique experience. However, there are many shared experiences between people not just with myositis, but other rare diseases too. It’s the coping mechanisms that vary, depending on what works for you.
This is not to pretend that a myositis diagnosis is not life changing. Living with myositis, you cannot predict how you will feel in a month, week or even the next day. Life will surely be different because of that.
But a different life is not the same as one without fulfilment. Many people with myositis live exciting and gratifying lives. It might not always be easy and it is a continuous journey – but you can find ways to live with myositis.
Overcoming fear
If you have a rare disease like myositis, you might face a range of new fears brought on by the condition. Such as fear of loss of control, dependency, isolation, change in appearance and stigma.
These are all normal fears to have and shared by many people with myositis. The key is acceptance and a willingness to adapt. This is easier said than done when facing these fears is often an everyday struggle. But there are techniques to help.
Talk to others
Talking to others with myositis or a rare disease can help. Sharing stories can put things into perspective, remove isolation and offer comfort.
Do what you’re good at
Doing activities that show off your talents or personality can help boost your self-esteem. In turn, this will provide some of the important groundwork to help overcome your fears.
Your fears may not go away entirely, but they can be addressed when you understand how they are affecting you. For more information on fear and myositis, we recommend reading this study in the HSS.
Learning more about myositis
An improved understanding of myositis can help some people feel better about their condition. Here are some places to start if you need help understanding myositis.
- Explore the Myositis info section of the website.
- Read the latest news on our blog.
- Become a member of Myositis UK.
- Attend an event.
- View our latest charity publication.
- View links to latest research publications.
Treatment
As myositis varies from person to person, some trial and error may be needed to settle on the best treatment plan for you. This may involve a combination of medication, exercise, diet and other therapies.
Medication
Polymyositis, dermatomyositis and juvenile dermatomyositis usually respond well to a combination of steroids and immunosuppressive medication such as disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs). Regrettably there is no proven treatment for inclusion body myositis but other options are available.
Exercise
Exercise is an important part of living with myositis as aerobic exercise helps to restore muscle strength and improve stamina. It should be done in line with the advice of your doctor or physiotherapist.
Children with juvenile dermatomyositis will need more vigorous physiotherapy to prevent flexion contracture. This is a condition where joints, especially the knees, become permanently bent due to calcium deposits in the muscles.
Exercise is particularly important for those with inclusion body myositis as this type of myositis does not respond to medication.
Other therapies
Other therapies such as speech therapy and mind and body practices can be integrated into treatment plans. It is important to view these as complementary to medication and exercise, rather than in replace of more traditional approaches.
Please discuss any complimentary or non-traditional approaches with your doctor so they can continue to monitor your symptoms and recovery with a full picture.
Connecting with others
Talking to others with myositis or a rare disease can provide motivation, put things into perspective, remove isolation and offer comfort. Here are some ways to connect with others.
- Become a member. You can sign up to become a member of Myositis UK for free (if UK-based) using our online form, giving you access to more information and opportunities.
- Join our Facebook group. We also have a closed Facebook group you can request to join to connect with others in a similar position to you.
- Discover our community zone. Not on Facebook? We also have a community zone where you can connect with others, hosted on a platform by Health Unlocked.
- Attend an event. We hold annual conferences and regular meet ups for members which many find useful for finding out about the latest research while connecting with others.
Sharing your experience
Some people find talking about their experience and sharing it with others a useful way of living with myositis. You might like to do this through the closed Facebook group, our Community Zone, or face-to-face at a meet up.
If you’re comfortable sharing your story online with a more public audience, we are looking for stories to publish on our blog. Please contact us.
