Dermatomyositis anyone heard of this?

[BRANDY LPN]

Dermatomyositis

Does anyone know anything about this disease? Anyone here have it or know someone who does?

My 78y/o gma went to a derm. today d/t a rash on her scalp, they biopsied her scalp and hands, they seemed to be concerned about a shawl sign and some small nodes on her hands. They ordered a "anti-mas" and a "anti-mi2", and who knows what else, my info is from my mom who went with her to the doctors. Also could this be why she has recurrent unexplained abdominal swelling? She also has pain in her shoulder that they have been unable to find a cause for. Based on this information and the fact that my gma said the doctor said it was a really long name she couldn't remember I am thinking they are looking for this and maybe other auto immune disorders. But it is really just a guess on my part. Anyways any info. would be great. Thanks.

[justcurious]

http://www.emedicine.com/med/topic2608.htm

Hope this helps.

Have a good day :)

[BRANDY LPN]

Thanks for the link, I have read an exhaustive amount of stuff about this on-line the last few days. My Aunt called the MD and it appears that this is the dx. I was hoping for a personal story or two from someone who has seen this first hand.