Polymyositis Treatment in India
About Polymyositis
Key Highlights
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Expert management by a rheumatologist specializing in autoimmune muscle diseases.Comprehensive diagnostic approach to accurately identify polymyositis and rule out other conditions.Personalized, long-term treatment plans aimed at suppressing inflammation and preserving muscle function.Focus on improving quality of life, mobility, and daily activity levels.Multidisciplinary care coordination, often involving physical therapists and pulmonologists, to manage all aspects of the disease.Goal of achieving and maintaining clinical remission to prevent long-term disability./ul
Who is this surgery for?
- Progressive, symmetric muscle weakness, especially in the shoulders, hips, and thighs.
- Elevated levels of muscle enzymes (like CK, aldolase) in blood tests.
- Positive findings for specific autoantibodies (e.g., anti-Jo-1) associated with inflammatory myopathies.
- Abnormal electromyography (EMG) showing myopathic changes.
- Evidence of muscle inflammation on a muscle biopsy.
- Associated symptoms like difficulty swallowing (dysphagia), muscle pain, fatigue, or shortness of breath (if lungs are involved).
- Poor response to initial conservative management for unexplained muscle weakness.
How to prepare
- Detailed consultation with the rheumatologist to discuss medical history, symptoms, and any previous treatments.
- Completion of necessary blood tests to check muscle enzymes, autoantibodies, and overall health markers.
- Undergoing diagnostic tests as advised, which may include electromyography (EMG) and imaging (MRI).
- For a muscle biopsy, fasting may be required if sedation is used; the site (usually thigh or arm) will be cleaned and locally anesthetized.
- Discussion about all current medications, as some may need to be adjusted before starting immunosuppressive therapy.
- Arranging support for post-diagnosis, as treatment often requires regular monitoring and medication management.
Risks & possible complications
- Side effects from long-term corticosteroid use: weight gain, high blood pressure, diabetes, osteoporosis, and increased infection risk.
- Complications from immunosuppressive drugs: liver toxicity, bone marrow suppression, and heightened susceptibility to infections.
- Potential adverse reactions to IVIG therapy, including headache, fever, or allergic reactions.
- Disease-related complications if not controlled: permanent muscle weakness, calcinosis (calcium deposits under skin), interstitial lung disease, and heart involvement.
- Risk of treatment not being fully effective, requiring medication adjustments or alternative therapies.
Recovery & hospital stay
- Recovery is a gradual process; improvement in muscle strength may take weeks to months after starting effective treatment.
- Regular follow-up visits with the rheumatologist are crucial to monitor response, adjust medications, and manage side effects.
- Physical therapy is a cornerstone of recovery to rebuild strength, improve range of motion, and prevent contractures.
- Patients must adhere strictly to their prescribed medication regimen and never stop corticosteroids abruptly.
- Lifestyle modifications, including a balanced diet, gentle exercise as tolerated, and adequate rest, are important.
- Monitoring for signs of infection is critical due to immunosuppression, and vaccinations (like flu and pneumonia shots) are often recommended.
- Long-term management focuses on maintaining remission with the lowest possible effective drug doses.
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Typical hospital stay:
0-3 days
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Expected recovery time:
6 months to ongoing
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are considering polymyositis in India, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.
Top-rated hospitals in India with rheumatology departments and experienced surgeons are ideal for this procedure. Use MediFyr to compare facilities, reviews, and doctor profiles before you decide.
Look at the doctor’s years of experience, hospital association, patient reviews, and how often they perform polymyositis. MediFyr helps you compare rheumatologists and book consultations online.
The overall cost depends on hospital category, surgeon’s experience, room type, implant or device used (if any), length of stay, tests, and post-operative care. Our team can help you get cost estimates from multiple hospitals before you decide.
Procedure cost in other countries
Here is an overview of how the estimated cost, hospital stay, and recovery time for polymyositis compare across other countries where we have data.
Amit Singh, a 52-year-old software engineer...
Amit Singh, a 52-year-old software engineer and father of two, had always been active, playing weekend cricket with his sons. Over six months, he noticed a profound weakness creeping in. Climbing stairs became a struggle, and lifting his cricket bat felt impossible. Simple tasks like getting up from a chair required pushing off with his arms. He dismissed it as stress or aging, but when he started having trouble swallowing his food and felt constant fatigue, his wife insisted he see a doctor. After initial tests ruled out common issues, his GP referred him to Dr. Sharma, a rheumatologist. Dr. Sharma, suspecting an inflammatory myopathy, recommended a polymyositis workup, which included specific blood tests for muscle enzymes and autoantibodies, and a crucial muscle biopsy from Amit's thigh to confirm the diagnosis. The biopsy was a minor surgical procedure; Amit was anxious but relieved to be pursuing answers. The diagnosis of polymyositis was confirmed. He began a treatment plan of high-dose corticosteroids and a steroid-sparing agent (methotrexate). After three months of dedicated treatment and physiotherapy, Amit's strength slowly returned. He can now climb stairs comfortably and has started gentle walks. Emotionally, he went from a state of fear and frustration, feeling his body betray him, to one of cautious optimism. The diagnosis, while serious, gave him a path forward. He feels empowered by his treatment plan and is determined to manage his condition to be present for his family.
Rheumatologists for Polymyositis
Explore experienced rheumatologists who regularly perform polymyositis and provide pre- and post-operative care in India.
- 21 Years Experience
- Rheumatologist
Metro Hospital, Sector 11, Noida
- 11 Years Experience
- Rheumatologist
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 5 Years Experience
- Rheumatologist
- 13 Years Experience
- Rheumatologist
Manipal Hospital Dhakuria, Kolkata
- 8 Years Experience
- Rheumatologist
KMC Hospital Mangalore, Mangalore
- 9 Years Experience
- Rheumatologist
- 21 Years Experience
- Rheumatologist
Manipal Hospital Gurgaon, Gurgaon
- 11 Years Experience
- Rheumatologist
Manipal Hospital Jayanagar, Bangalore
- 8 Years Experience
- Rheumatologist
Manipal Hospital Kharadi, Pune
- 29 Years Experience
- Rheumatologist
Manipal Hospitals Broadway, Kolkata
- 7 Years Experience
- Rheumatologist
Manipal Hospital Kanakapura Road, Bangalore
- 7 Years Experience
- Rheumatologist
Manipal Hospital Millers Road, Bangalore
- 25 Years Experience
- Rheumatologist
Manipal Hospital Millers Road, Bangalore
- 16 Years Experience
- Rheumatologist
- 9 Years Experience
- Rheumatologist
Manipal Hospital Salt Lake, Kolkata
- 14 Years Experience
- Rheumatologist
Manipal Hospital Jaipur, Jaipur
- 14 Years Experience
- Rheumatologist
Manipal Hospital Mukundapur, Kolkata
- 3 Years Experience
- Rheumatologist
Manipal Hospital Bhubaneswar, Bhubaneshwar
- 27 Years Experience
- Rheumatologist
Artemis Hospital Gurgaon, Gurgaon
- 9 Years Experience
- Rheumatologist
Manipal Hospital Dhakuria, Kolkata