Question 1

is cellcept (mycophenolate mofetil) drug prescribed for dermatomyositis?

Accepted Answer

Can be: Cellcept (mycophenolate mofetil) is used as a steroid sparing agent in dm, although insurance payment can be difficult as this is an off label use.

Question 2

is cellcept (mycophenolate mofetil) a drug prescribed to treat dermatomyositis?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Cellcept (mycophenolate mofetil) is an immunosuppressant drug used to treat  a variety if conditions. In rheumatology it is most commonly used to treat certain types of lupus. Cellcept (mycophenolate mofetil) has been used successfully to treat dermatomyositis. It can help lower and or eliminate the steroid dose.

Question 3

is dermatomyositis serious?

Accepted Answer

It can be: There is a much higher risk of solid organ cancers (lung, colon for example) in patients with dm. Why this is remains unclear.

Question 4

what causes  dermatomyositis?

Accepted Answer

Dermatomyositis: The cause of dermatomyositis is unknown. Experts think it may be due to a viral infection of the muscles or a problem with the body's immune system. It can also sometimes occur in patients who have cancer of the abdomen, lung or other body area.
Anyone can develop dermatomyositis, but it most commonly occurs in children age 5 - 15 and adults age 40 - 60. Women develop this condition more often.

Question 5

how to live with dermatomyositis?

Accepted Answer

Inflammation of musc: Inflammation of muscles.  Assure that it is not caused by medications or by cancer.  Further, assure exercises to maintain muscle strength.

Question 6

what are symptoms of dermatomyositis?

Accepted Answer

Weakness and rash!: Dermatomyositis has characteristicc rashes: heliotrope, gottren's, etc.  A rheumatologist or dermatologist will recognize this. Proximal muscle weakness is the first evidence of muscular disease, and a doctor will check your cpk, which would be elevated. Pts may also experience raynaud's syndrome, and internal organ involvement can occur.  It is a serious disease!

Question 7

what is some info on dermatomyositis?

Accepted Answer

Skin & muscles: Dermatomyositis is a connective-tissue disease, ranging from mild to severe. Milder cases involve only inflammation of the muscles and the skin, while more severe cases also may affect the joints, esophagus, lungs, and even the heart in rare cases. Treatment is difficult but possible, and often effective in the hands of an experienced dermatologist.

Question 8

what are the tests for dermatomyositis?

Accepted Answer

Several.: While a muscle biopsy is most definitive, emgs, elevation of muscle enzymes, positive ana, reflexed to specific autoantibodies frequently seen in dm. But the clinical picture is most telling. This diseasec should be managed by a rheumatologist.

Question 9

what kind of condition is dermatomyositis?

Accepted Answer

Autoimmune: It is an autoimmune disease with the collagen vascular diseases and is treated by rheumatologist. It affects skin and muscle with proximal muscle weakness of the hips and shoulders. Diagnosis is made by muscle weakness, typical rash on face and hands, muscle biopsy , skin biopsy, and blood tests. Treatment is oral steroids and steroid sparing drugs such as cytoxan, (cyclophosphamide) imuran, methotrexate.

Question 10

how serious is dermatomyositis for someone?

Accepted Answer

Check it out: Dermatomyositis is a disease that can affect the skin, muscles.  It can range from mild to very severe.  When someone is diagnoses with dermatomyositis, the doctor should do a work up for underlying cancer, because about 25% of cases are associated with an underlying malignancy.  See a dermatologist if you have not already done so.

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Medicine for dermatomyositis

A member asked:

Is cellcept (mycophenolate mofetil) drug prescribed for dermatomyositis?

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Is cellcept (mycophenolate mofetil) a drug prescribed to treat dermatomyositis?

A member asked:

Is dermatomyositis serious?

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What causes dermatomyositis?

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How to live with dermatomyositis?

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What are symptoms of dermatomyositis?

A member asked:

What is some info on dermatomyositis?

A member asked:

What are the tests for dermatomyositis?

A member asked:

What kind of condition is dermatomyositis?

A member asked:

How serious is dermatomyositis for someone?

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