May is Myositis Awareness Month.

There are a few varieties of myositis. I was diagnosed with Polymyositis about 8 years ago. Watching muscle dissolve off my bones at an alarming rate. The large, smooth muscle groups, impacted by the disease were liquifying at such an alarming rate I lost 40lbs of muscle weight in just over a month. I lost the ability to stand from a seated position, to walk without assistance, and to roll over in bed on my own.

There are 4 primary types of Myositis: dermatomyositis, polymyositis, inclusion body myositis, and sporadic inclusion body myositis. There is also a juvenile onset type of myositis. They are all considered to be autoimmune in nature and incurable.

There are great resources for patients and care givers on Myositis.org or UnderstandingMyositis.org