Can I get myopathy from a virus

[kmw117]

Following a trip to the gulf coast in Texas August 2007, I started having muscle spasms, cramping, pain in my feet & knees which has progressed to difficult/painful walking, extreme fatigue and mild incoordination at times.  I have been to many specialists, 4 MRIs, an eeg, EMG & NCS.  All tests were normal except the RA factor is positive and the emg shows myopathy.  One of the neurologists says I probably picked up a virus in Texas and it has left me with this neuromuscular damage and that I shouldn't concentrate on finding an answer but learn to manage my limitations.

I continued to look for answers and have one more appointment at the KU school of medicine in June where they said a muscle biopsy is the next option.  I'm ready to give up and "live" with it - if you can call it "living."  

Is it possible and if it is - what types of viruses leave those symptoms?

Thank you

[patsy10]

I forgot to say, my friend has myositis and is being treated with steroids as described by Dr. Rakesh above.  She has horrible side effects from the medicine like 40 lb wt gain, stomach problems, high blood pressure and more.  I personally think she is worse now than she was.  She says she is not as weak now.  She had symptoms for many years before the diagnosis was made by muscle biopsy.  It did not come on suddenly as yours did.  Her's is autoimmune.  

[patsy10]

I had the bullseye rash in the 90's, followed by numerous infectious, neurologic symptoms, MS-like picture.  There's  just too much to list.  Anyway, I was finally treated with antibiotics  about 15 months after the rash.  I started getting better after 4 months so I stopped taking them.  I recovered slowly over about a 5 year period.  It all hit again in 2005 after cervical spine surgery.  I personally do not think it is curable at this stage but it can go into remission.  I have again taken antibiotics and improved.  I have never had a positive blood test to lyme although I have all they symptoms and had the classic bullseye rash (actually had 3 bullseye's at one time).

[kmw117]

It's definitely not the alcohol since I have one margarita every six months! lol And I absolutely hate to excercise (jogging, working out, etc.) although I was very active before this just in my job around the yard, etc. You are right about the bed rest.  Just sitting to watch tv or sleeping through the night - when I get up I'm so stiff I can't move for a little while - and it's quite painful.  Thank you

[DrRakeshMD]

Hi Dear

Sorry to hear about the mishap.

Myopathy is an abnormal condition of the muscle tissues, commonly involving skeletal tissue. It is generally associated with strenuous muscular exercise; other causes include alcoholism and idiopathic muscle destruction. Viral infection with influenza, cox-sackie virus, cytomegalovirus and certain other viruses are also known to be asociated with myopathy. These viral myopathies are generally inflammatory in nature, leading to inflamed, weakened muscles. These are benerally treated with high doses of a steroid such as prednisone. Immunosuppressant drugs, such as azathioprine and methotrexate, may reduce inflammation in patients who do not respond well to prednisone. Physical therapy is also recommended in addition; bed rest for a long perion is to be avoided as the muscles may atrophy.

Hence, please do talk to your doctor about the appropriate treatment.

Best...

[kmw117]

No they that's one thing they haven't.  They took 8 tubes of blood for a DM2 DNA test that they want $220 up front for and  I already owe over $13,000 to local hospital just for tests.  That doesn't even include all of the specialists I've been to! That's just my cost - not what my insurance has covered - or not covered.  I guess the DNA test is like $1200.

Has the treatment for lyme disease helped? Are the symptoms completely reversable or is there some residual damage? I will definitely look into it.

[patsy10]

Were you tested for lyme disease?

[kmw117]

No family history of autoimmune disease or RA that we know of.  And even though the RA factor was positive they ruled RA  and lupus out through the more specific tests. Very frustrating!  Like I told bretb the only other abnormal tests besides the RA and EMG was the Vit B12.  I'm hoping the muscle biopsy in June shows something difinitive but if not we're back to a none specific viral infection. I'm at a point I'm going to have to sell my house because it's a quad level and I can't deal with the stairs for the most part.

[kmw117]

thanks for the comment.  Any results yet from your MRI? I don't remember having any "virus like" symptoms (i.e. fever, etc). but I guess it's possible I had what I thought was a cold and don't remember. My  doctor said my B12 was really low and am taking B12 shots twice a week until I go to KU in June but don't see  any difference yet. I think they were referring to something like West Nile, etc. but no spinals have been done and I think they figure another test won't "fix" it - just give it a name.

[bhups1]

Hi, do you have family history of autoimmune disease or rheumatoid arthritis? “In patients with the symptoms of Sjögren’s syndrome, significant concentrations of RF indicate that it is likely that they have Sjögren’s. Positive RF test results may also be seen in healthy patients and in patients with conditions such as: endocarditis; systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus); tuberculosis; syphilis; sarcoidosis; cancer; viral infection; or disease of the liver, lung, or kidney. The RF test is not used to diagnose or monitor these conditions”. Taken from http://www.labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/rheumatoid/test.html

[BretB]

I came down with a virus3 months ago where I had a 103 temprature for 24 hours.  I wasn't traveling at the time like you, but since then I have been lightheaded, fatiuged, unbalanced, and having numbing headaches daily.  getting out of  bed in teh morning is the worst-usually takes 30 minutes or so before I feel like I can get going.  I don;t have cramping or spasms like you, however it is starting to concern me that there is no sign of my symptoms going away.  I have an mri scheduled this week so we'll see.  I am fearing that the symptoms are not bad enough (like yours) to warrant more than a "live with it" response.  Curious what the muscle biopsy would tell you.  Elaborate if you can.

Bret in MN