Inclusion Body "IBM" Myositis looking for a cure!
Ralph Dexter Waite Jr
Dexter IBM Myositis Foundation funds are contributed to Penn State Medical alumni research and Dartmouth Medical Research. Ralph Dexter Waite started in 2009 this fund after a byopsy indicated he had IBM. He has been treated by a Doctor in New Haven and now been referred to Dartmouth Medical for more care. News: Inflamatory myopathies are a group of muscle diseases involving the inflimation and degeneration of skeletal muscle tissues. They are thought to be autoimmune disorders. These include dermatomyositis, polymyositis and inclusion body myositis. Although all of these diseases result in muscle weakness, each is unique in its own development and treatment.
Inflammatory cells surround, invade, and destroy normal muscle fibers as thought they were defective or foreign to the body. This results in muscle weakness. This muscle weakness is usually symmetrical and develops slowly over weeks to months or even years.
Early signs of inflamatory myopathies may include difficulty rising from a chair, climbing stairs, or lifting the arms. A patient can become exceedingly week after prolonged standing or walking. In some cases early signs may include difficulty in swallowing or breathing.
Tests that may be run include physical exam, blood tests, electromygraphy (EMG) and a muscle biopsy. The diagnosis is confirmed by the muscle biopsy using special strains. If a polymyositis patient does not respond to reatment it is important that they see a specialist to rule out IBM. At times a repeat muscle biopsy may be needed.
INCLUSION BODY MYOSITIS
Inclusion body myositis-IBM is ver similar to PM. In fact many doctors believe that patients diagnosed with PM that do not respond to treatment actually may have IBM.The only definitive test for IBM is a muscle biopsy.
Onset of muscle weakness in IBM is usually very gradual, taking place over months or years. It is different from PM in that both proximal and distal muscles are affected. Typical findings include weakness of the wrist flexors and finger flexors. Atrophy or shrinking of the forearms is characteristic. In the legs, atrophy of the quadriceps muscle is common with varying degrees of weakness in other muscles.
Difficulty swallowing occurs in about half of patients with IBM. Facial muscle weakness is present in a minority of patients. Falling is often the first noticeable symptom of IBM.
Symptoms of IBM usually begin after age 50, although no age group is excluded. It occurs more frequently in men than women. About 1 in 10 causes of IBM may be hereditary.
There is no known treatment for IBM. Interveinous immnoglobulin has shown some preliminary evidence for a slight beneficial effect in a small number of cases. New drugs and other avenues are being explored. Prescribed physical therepy may be helpful to maintain mobility.
Inflammatory cells surround, invade, and destroy normal muscle fibers as thought they were defective or foreign to the body. This results in muscle weakness. This muscle weakness is usually symmetrical and develops slowly over weeks to months or even years.
Early signs of inflamatory myopathies may include difficulty rising from a chair, climbing stairs, or lifting the arms. A patient can become exceedingly week after prolonged standing or walking. In some cases early signs may include difficulty in swallowing or breathing.
Tests that may be run include physical exam, blood tests, electromygraphy (EMG) and a muscle biopsy. The diagnosis is confirmed by the muscle biopsy using special strains. If a polymyositis patient does not respond to reatment it is important that they see a specialist to rule out IBM. At times a repeat muscle biopsy may be needed.
INCLUSION BODY MYOSITIS
Inclusion body myositis-IBM is ver similar to PM. In fact many doctors believe that patients diagnosed with PM that do not respond to treatment actually may have IBM.The only definitive test for IBM is a muscle biopsy.
Onset of muscle weakness in IBM is usually very gradual, taking place over months or years. It is different from PM in that both proximal and distal muscles are affected. Typical findings include weakness of the wrist flexors and finger flexors. Atrophy or shrinking of the forearms is characteristic. In the legs, atrophy of the quadriceps muscle is common with varying degrees of weakness in other muscles.
Difficulty swallowing occurs in about half of patients with IBM. Facial muscle weakness is present in a minority of patients. Falling is often the first noticeable symptom of IBM.
Symptoms of IBM usually begin after age 50, although no age group is excluded. It occurs more frequently in men than women. About 1 in 10 causes of IBM may be hereditary.
There is no known treatment for IBM. Interveinous immnoglobulin has shown some preliminary evidence for a slight beneficial effect in a small number of cases. New drugs and other avenues are being explored. Prescribed physical therepy may be helpful to maintain mobility.
Dexter Myositis contributor $50 receipt Mystic poster