What causes a person to either become submerged under the weight of negative influences; or, to spring up and bounce back even stronger ? 

           I believe it is a combination of things.  We are all products of our past; we have been taught many things throughout our childhoods and young adulthood that influences how we perceive things.  Most of those things are unconscious and basically invisible, but, still they are there; determining how we interpet the challenges in life; and, therefore, how we handle those same challenges.  We have to make a personal committment to ourselves to change the direction our lives are going if we wish to live a life that is full of the good things life has to offer.

          If we have been lucky enough to have a strong healthy foundation during those formative years we have a huge headstart.  If we were instead rooted in poor soil and unhealthy relationships during those years; we often have alot to overcome. 

          It is not impossible to overcome those things.  It is by strength of will and determination that we learn how to channel our inner self to go in the direction of love, health, and personal well-being.  It is a matter of retraining how we think about things and learning not to focus on the obstacles and the negativity that surrounds us on a daily basis.

          I was reminded of these things today, when i read about Elizabeth Fritzl, the young Austrian woman held captive by her father in a basement for 24 years.  She was forced to endure loneliness, sexual abuse, emotional damage and physical confinement.  She was raped repeatedly by her father and gave birth to seven children during this time.  They grew up without "normal" human interaction. 

        At this point they are receiving treatment in a  psychiatric facility.  The family is getting help learning how to bond together; how to communicate with others, how to function outside of their basement prison.  Elizabeth, the mother of the children grew up at home, with her mother and father...until she was 18 years old.  At that point, he forced her to live in the basement while explaining her "disappearance" to the rest of the world by saying that she had run off to join a cult.

          Elizabeth and her children are bouncing back in amazing ways.  One would think that they might never recover.  After all, some of them didn't speak as we know speaking; they communicated with grunts and noises.  However, they survived against all odds.  Their healing and renewal will happen with good guidance and therapy.  It should be encouraging to us all that the human spirit is resilient; it is meant to sustain us in times of devastation.

            At some point in life we have to "choose" to overcome the negative forces that have gone before and "decide" to grow, heal, strengthen; and, claim victory over the things in life that hold us back from who we were created to be.   It is work, it isn't easy and often professional help is necessary; but, it is so worth it to have the freedom to once again live life fearlessly, and fully, with joy!

This article is not for everyone. It is for those that want to know me better both as a writer and as a person. I think that for a writer to truly be successful, they have to bare their soul. The reader should know who you are in my opinion. This is one of the layers of my onion being peeled as it were. Many feel this, but hopefully it will give some peace to those that struggle with these thoughts.

God, do you remember? To finish Reading Click Here

Okay, ladies—let’s get real. When most of us gals over fifty say we’re “hanging loose,” the phrase has taken on an entirely new meaning. Yes, I must confess that a lot of me has morphed into flesh that settles into loose folds whenever I sit, bend, or button a waistband. I do try to keep up with my aerobics and even lift weights a couple of times a week. Yet, despite my efforts, gravity seems to be tugging extra hard these days.

Thankfully, the entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well in American authors and they are writing a number of books to cash in on aging boomers and our worries over the visible signs of growing older. Not long ago, I came across an article in USA Today that discussed the latest crop of anti-aging books filled with dos and don’ts for the mature woman. Each of them looks interesting to me as I’m hoping to hang on to whatever looks I have left. But, I do have my limits!

The article suggests that a woman in her fifties or sixties is pleased to be alive (rather than dead by this age of decrepitude) but that she can’t pass a mirror without averting her eyes. Now, maybe my vision is going faster than I’d thought but I can still look myself in the mirror without gagging or fleeing the scene totally repulsed by the appallingly wizened reflection.

Shockingly, I like myself better now than when I was younger and so do most of my friends. Why not write a book about that? Yes, it may be important to look our best at any age. And, yes, looks do affect our self-esteem but so does a lifetime of growth and development. I may not wear my wrinkles proudly but I don’t despise them either. A lifetime of friends and laughter, memories and family, and challenges and triumphs more than makes up for a few lines. And, no one need avert her eyes at that!

Treatment of myositis is highly individualized. Physicians typically attempt to predict treatment outcomes according to a variety of points. These include:

• Age (in children). Children usually respond better to treatment than adults. Younger children tend to respond better than teenagers.
• Duration of disease before diagnosis and treatment. Responsiveness is best with early therapy, particularly within three to six months of the onset of symptoms.
• Severity of muscle weakness. Typically, the more severe the muscle weakness, the more resistant the myositis is to treatment.
• Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing). When dysphagia is present, the myositis is usually more resistant to treatment.
• Involvement of cardiac or respiratory muscles. When myositis affects the heart or the muscles involved in breathing, treatment is typically less effective.
• Form of myositis present. Different forms of myositis respond differently to treatment. Myositis associated with cancer is typically responsive only to the effective treatment of the cancer. Myositis associated with medications or infections typically goes away when the drug is removed or the infection is treated. Inclusion body myositis (IBM) is particularly unresponsive to treatment.

Pregnancy may worsen the signs and symptoms of myositis, and active myositis may increase the risk of premature birth or stillbirth. This risk is greatly reduced when the disease is in remission. Physicians usually recommend that the patient ensure that the disease is controlled before attempting to conceive. Many pharmacological agents are best avoided during pregnancy. However, if absolutely necessary, corticosteroids may be used throughout the pregnancy with close supervision by a specialist.

Restricting strenuous activities when inflammation is most intense often helps with pain and healing. When symptoms are less severe, physical therapy and rehabilitation may prove helpful. Physical therapists can teach a patient how to be aware of positioning to reduce the risk of pressure sores in bed or wheelchairs and can recommend exercises, including low-impact activities (e.g., walking, swimming) and active or passive range of motion exercises to prevent or improve joint contractures (when the joint remains in a bent position). Occupational therapy may be prescribed if myositis hinders the patient’s performance of daily activities.

Certain nutritional concerns exist for myositis patients. Protein in the diet is important for muscle growth and healing. Calcium is important for strong bones. During corticosteroid therapy, the diet needs to be low in salt and sugar.

Several medications may be used to treat myositis. Typically, the first medications attempted are corticosteroids. These may help to relieve muscle and joint pain and swelling, improve muscle strength, and control fever and rash. Corticosteroids are generally given in pill forms and in high doses. Muscle enzyme levels in the blood are monitored during treatment to determine if the corticosteroid treatment is working and to catch any signs of relapse. In general, if corticosteroids are started earlier in the course of the disease, they work faster and more effectively. Usually 90 percent of patients attain some response with corticosteroids, and 50 to 70 percent of these attain complete remission.

After about four to 12 weeks on the initial high dose of corticosteroids, the muscle enzyme levels have usually returned to normal and muscle strength has returned. At this time, the dose is gradually reduced. Most adults continue taking a low dose for many years or even indefinitely to prevent a relapse. Most children, however, are able to stop corticosteroid therapy entirely without fear of further relapses after about two years. Prolonged use of corticosteroids has been associated with complications including diabetes and osteoporosis, and may affect children’s bone development. Usually corticosteroids are tapered slowly after prolonged use; stopping corticosteroids abruptly can make a person very sick.

In some cases, intravenous corticosteroids are used as an alternative to pill form. When using this method, the corticosteroids are typically administered for three consecutive days weekly or monthly as needed.

Not all forms of myositis respond well to corticosteroids. In cases of inclusion body myositis (IBM), corticosteroids may have no effect or only stabilization or slight improvement of muscle strength.

Sometimes, corticosteroids may not be effective or may even worsen myositis conditions. In these cases, other drugs may be prescribed, including:

• Immunosuppressive drugs. May be employed as initial treatment in patients with indicators of poor prognosis (e.g., those with a delayed diagnosis or with difficulty swallowing) and those at significant risk of corticosteroid side effects. Immunosuppressive drugs may also be used with corticosteroid therapy.
• Intravenous immune globulin (IVIG). Contains large quantities of many antibodies and may be given when other drugs are not effective. IVIG has shown some cases of great improvement or even full remission. It may provide even greater benefit when patients also have difficulty swallowing. IVIG is usually given for two to five consecutive days a month for as long as nine months. However, the costs of this treatment are very high and relapse is common once treatment has stopped.
• Antimalarial drugs, including DMARDs (disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs). May be used to treat rash in dermatomyositis. Typically, the medications for myositis treat pain, inflammation and muscle weakness, not rash. There are some cases where adverse reactions to antimalarial drugs may be confused with the rash and weakness of dermatomyositis itself.

When these drugs prove ineffective, a number of other medications and therapies may be used, such as alkylating agents (cancer drugs), blood plasma exchange or radiation therapy. These drugs and therapies have shown mixed results in studies and may not be effective.

In addition to medical treatment, some physicians may recommend certain complimentary or alternative pain therapies, including acupuncture or thermotherapy (heat therapy). However, these treatments remain controversial and unproven.

In cases of dermatomyositis, the use of sunscreen helps with the prevention and management of photosensitive rashes.

When dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) is involved with myositis, it increases the risk of inhaling food or liquids into the lungs (aspiration), which can cause pneumonia. In some cases, feeding tubes may be necessary. Speech therapists may offer advice about aspiration risk and precautions (e.g., elevation of the head of the bed, semisolid diets).

Dermatomyositis may be accompanied by calcinosis (deposits of calcium and phosphate in the fat layer beneath the skin), particularly in children who do not receive prompt treatment. This can be medically treated in its early stages, but once calcinosis becomes established, it is highly resistant to treatment. In some cases, deposits may need to be surgically removed, particularly if they interfere with joint function, persistently drain, or are painful or infected.

Questions for your doctor regarding myositis

Preparing questions in advance can help patients have more meaningful discussions with their physicians regarding their conditions. Patients may wish to ask their doctor the following questions about myositis:

1. What form of myositis do I have?
2. How may myositis affect my other medical conditions?
3. How severe is my myositis likely to become?
4. What treatment options are available to me?
5. Which do you recommend?
6. How well is my myositis likely to respond to treatment?
7. How long will I have to remain on treatment?
8. How can my medications affect pregnancy? What other side effects might I experience?
9. How should I consider restructuring my life to work with my myositis?
10. What signs of relapse should I be on the lookout for?

Reviewed By:
Vikas Garg, M.D., MSA

Article found at ivillage

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To everyone’s surprise computers turned out to be a huge industry, taking control of much of how the entire world works. I was given a huge advantage. Now we all know that computers are VERY important to success, so I have gone on a plan to give very poor children, access to computers, and access to quality education. These are kids that would not be able to get a good education or maybe even go to school. These are kids that will live a very poor life if we do not step in to help. This year we are looking to support 7 kids. The cost for one year is about $800 per kid. I am trying hard to raise this money now because it needs to be committed by the first of June. If you want to help out you can donate using PayPal. (Just send to my email [dragon(at)capitalactive.com] as a donation) Anything you send will go directly to help these kids.  This photo is of the 4 kids we helped in 2007, before they met us they were living in a small shack, with a tarp as a roof, they never had been more than 10 miles from home, and never even seen a mall.  (I have before pictures also but they would break your heart.)  They were very smart but the schools they went to were very poor, and this kids were years behind the city kids, even though they were near the top of their class in their rural schools.  In one year they were able to catch up and pass the city kids, we gave them quality food, clothes, and housing.  This year I want to do even more.   My goal is to support 7 kids.  We will use these 4 and add 3 boys.  Without your help I don't know if I can do it.

The next thing is a much larger thing. I really want to develop Real Estate. I have always been interested in architecture and large buildings. When you see a large building you know that someone designed it and also someone thought of it and paid for it to be built. To me this is the ultimate legacy. I want to build great unique buildings that will stand out. I decided to go a different path, and I went into computers and business. But now I want to go into. I firmly believe in the mixed use real estate concept. Basically building communities, of housing, work, and shopping all in the same mega complex. This is the way life used to be but, here in the southwest, the car made all of these things disperse. Most people travel many miles to work, and at least a mile to shop. There is no community left in many places and this lack of community is one of the major things destroying our country. Imagine if you lived on the 7th floor of the building, shopped on the first and second floor and worked in your office on the 15th floor. All the while you had many friends, and felt like you truly belonged. I don’t just want to do real estate; I want to do real estate with a purpose. I have a young son, only 9 months now, and I want to leave him a legacy he can be proud of, and one he can carry on.

I also want to provide quality housing to people in need. Imagine going to a city in Asia, where the people are poor, and getting the community to work together to build a massive complex, I would supply the materials and organization, the community would do most of the work, and we would own the building and charge a very low rent. People would have the ability to move up from the squalor to live in healthy and much higher quality housing. What is I can do that, and impact a thousand lives in a very profound way. This is the legacy that I want to leave.

Now I am only 32 now, I have decades to do this. I am looking for like minded people who will know more than me to advise on these projects. I don’t think I will have the resources for a few years to do such a thing, but once I do it will roll on and on.

This is my WHY, this is the reason I want to be hugely successful, this is the reason why I need to make the things I do work. It is much more than me I do this for.

If you know of ways to get this done faster or cheaper I would love to hear from you. Please email me or comment below. Thanks.

A lifestyle to admire, a lifestyle to love with incredible support from other women. Anyone ready to go to Canada  June 12? Meet a group of women that completely enjoy their lives. They are refreshing to those of us on our second and third marriages.      

1) I'm truly amazed at the human body and how fast it heals after the operation on my foot. (Photo- Here's my view for the past 2 weeks of my feet :-) )

2) Love my clients, my family, success team and support system- they have been there for me and wonderful while I'm trying to heal. (You know who you are- please accept my eternal gratitude for being in my life.)

3) Shocked at how rude and ridiculous some people can be towards someone on crutches and not let that get in the way of my recovery.

4) With lots of time off my feel, I'm thrilled with all of the great new creative ideas that I've come up with that will be fruitful for me and for my clients.

5) Exhausted at all the information I'm getting by phone, mail, email and fax! (it's been fun hobbling to the phone, fax and mailbox!)

6) Happy that I have such a wonderful, loyal, loving puppy-Lily- who's been at my side every step of my recovery and will not leave me no matter how hard I try to get her to go with the dog walker. (Photo- Lily- very happy I'm laid up because it gives her an excuse to sleep more while she hangs out with me.)

7) Humbled by working with some incredibly talented people who are teaching me just as much as I am teaching them

There's a ton more things I've noticed while I've been laid up, but this was my short list. I'd encourage you to take notice and be present throughout your day and start noticing the little things that add up and make your life incredibly fulfilling.

Instead of being mad, or upset and act like a victim because I had to have this operation and be laid up and not drive for 3 weeks, I looked at it as a new, wonderful discovery period for me. I took and am still taking each day as an adventure and try to simply stay present and focus on my healing and my work. I think when we face these obstacles like a foot injury, a divorce, losing your job, or an accident- if we can ask the question of ourselves- "what am I supposed to learn or discover from this experience?" - we will be in a much better place mentally and even physically. Each obstacle is simply another lesson that we need to learn in life. (Some of this was as a result from finishing reading Eckhart Tolle's Power of Now. I'd highly recommend it.)
We need to use these lessons as stepping stones to grow and to help others. So the next time something happens to you that makes you unhappy, frustrated, angry or sad- try to ask the question and look deeper at the situation as to what you can learn and take away from it and maybe you can even help others.

Let me tell you, it ain't a ball.

How I do remain headstrong, whilst being balmy? Being a Jacqueline of all Trades; switching from femme fatale to cooing-balmy-gentle damsel in the blink of an eye?

Here's how I plan to achieve my lip balming-bra adjusting-nose powdering new self!

1) Me First!

Now that's a frowned upon attitude. Or is it? Even in the planes, one's got to strap the oxygen mask on one's self first, before tending to others. So if I can't breathe, I sure ain't gonna help you breathe!

2) Pictograph Moment, everyday.

No more regrets, no more if-only's.

3) Femme Boobs Brawn

Flex what I gotta flex, for my vote to be felt heard!

So there you go, why does it sound so easy? Sure ain't, but it's gonna be on the agenda.
As of today, I'm gonna be WonderBra!

]]> http://writeasrain.wordpress.com/?p=331 Wed, 14 May 2008 23:22:28 +0000 writeasrain http://writeasrain.wordpress.com/?p=331          In Grand Rapids, Michigan, today, John Edwards endorsed Barack Obama as his choice for the Democratic nomination.  His words were powerful.  Those same words were met by cheers and shows of encouragement that rival the excitement of any famous rock band's groupies.  This does not bode well for Hillary Clinton.

          If John Edwards had spoken like this at any of the debates when he was vying for support in his own candidacy he would have gotten the nod himself.  He had the crowd in the palm of his hand.  What this means to Hillary Clinton's campaign, is that they are in even more of a fight then, they were a week ago.  It is probably an uphill climb.

           There have been reports that the Clinton campaign was given a heads up about Edward's decision to back Obama.  It will be known as a dark day to them...one they may not be able to overcome.

            The thing is...it seems to me, that over the last few years; the parties that are involved in politics, have forgotten the plight of the average John and Joanne Doe.  The working class man & women are struggling in ways that threaten to fracture the so called middle class, to such a degree that there will no longer be a definative middle class.  People are hurting financially.  The medical insurance plight of America is creating a whole new kind of poverty...those who have insurance; but, not enough to survive caustrophic illness.  Those without insurance get very little medical care at all. 

        These issues are what is fueling a need for change.  Whether Obama is the one to do it...who knows.  The republicans are watching the duel between Obama and Clinton closely, mark my words.  This contest of power is going to challenge the Republicans in a way they have never been challenged before...running against the first African-American or, against the first Woman to run for President of the United States.  John McCain is going to be up against some pretty persuasive people.

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First- yes ,it's freedom – but your biggest challenges are still ahead……and your first one is this summer.

Secondly, try to open your mind a little faster. Nothing wrong with being a little sheltered, but your assumptions about life and people are going to get in your way for the next few years. For example,

Don't be obsessively cautious- just be cautious. Most things in life are not in your control-other people certainly are not. Don't rush into marriage. Don't force yourself to grow up too fast…..oh, well I tried…you're impatient.

OK- this one will take you 15 years to understand, but I'll tell you now anyway---don't fear the what if's. You're a good planner. You're intelligent – just do your best and let God handle the what ifs….You'll save a LOT of stress that way.

Oh yeah, and when you're planning for tomorrow-make sure that you're leaving enough time to enjoy today.

Here's some good news: your mom, dad, and grandmother gave you the simplest yet two greatest messages to shape your life: 1) they love you for who you are and not what they think you should be. 2) You can do anything you put your mind to.

You are a natural diplomat, and a natural leader---remember that at all key moments and positive and negative in your future life---you'll need it ! Feel free to shoot for a career in L.A., but you'll wind up with a pretty cool gig with a y'at from New Orleans and your future wife.

And finally – I'll tell you this – but you can't do anything about it, I can't prepare you for it, and nothing you do can stop this from happening. Enjoy the freedom of your life without diabetes now. In 12 years you will suddenly wake up one day thinking you have the flu, but you really have Type1 diabetes. You will take insulin for the rest of your life. I can't give you any advice other than to trust your medical team and work at it day by day.

The good news is that you will meet the woman who accepts you for all you are, will be a great mother to your children – and will watch you evolve and love you unconditionally even through the tough times. You will really enjoy being a dad, and at the right time – your thirties….You will quit smoking (would have been easier if you had never started).

You'll do fine---just throttle back…just a little…just a little…

The cause of myositis is not known. Most researchers agree that the muscle degeneration characteristic of myositis results from an autoimmune response, in which white blood cells and autoantibodies attack the muscles. However, it is not known what initiates this response. Many researchers speculate that a genetic predisposition to viral or drug complications may cause myositis. Possible causes and risk factors include:

• Family history. A genetic predisposition to myositis seems to exist, at least in some families and particularly in the juvenile manifestations. Certain genes involved in the immune response may play a role. For example, studies have shown that a defect in the tumor necrosis factor alpha gene may increase risk of myositis in children. Another possibility of increased risk for children involves the presence of a mother’s cells in the blood of a child in many cases of juvenile myositis. The genetic makeup of the mother may cause a transfer and/or persistence of maternal cells in the blood of the fetus that somehow makes the child more susceptible to myositis.
• Cancer or connective tissue disorder. Autoimmune reactions against cancer and various connective tissue disorders (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, systemic lupus erythematosus) may be directed against the muscles as well. 
• Viruses. Myositis may occur during or just after a viral infection. Certain viruses may trigger an autoimmune reaction that does not stop with recovery from the virus. With no virus left to attack, the white blood cells and autoantibodies may, in some instances, turn their attack on healthy body tissues. The connection between viral infection and myositis has not been proven. Some of the viruses that may have links to myositis include the Coxsackie B virus, the echovirus and the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
• Drug complications. The use of antibiotics is common in the three months preceding onset and diagnosis of myositis in children. It has been suggested that an abnormal reaction in the immune system may cause these antibiotics to attack healthy muscles.

Recent research indicates that, in children with dermatomyositis, a protein called heat shock protein 60 (HSP60) triggers an immune reaction. Further research would be needed to show if this finding may be useful in diagnosis or treatment.

Signs and symptoms of myositis

Symptoms of myositis typically develop slowly, over a period of weeks to months. Progression may be so gradual that people do not notice the disease for years. However, children usually develop symptoms more quickly than adults. Symptoms often vary in intensity and occur in periods of flare-up and remission. Symptoms are usually symmetrical (occur equally on both sides of the body).

Symptoms are highly individualized and variable. Some people may experience mild weakness that causes little or no detriment. For others, myositis may be a relentless downhill course resulting in confinement to a wheelchair or bed. Spontaneous, long-lasting remission is rare but may occur.

Symptoms of myositis include:

• Muscle weakness. Muscles close to the center of the body, particularly the neck, shoulders, upper arms, hips and thighs, are more often affected. The throat and esophagus may also be affected, but other internal organs and muscles of the hands, feet, eye and face are not usually affected. Weakness may be accompanied by warmth, pain or inflammation in the muscle. In advanced stages of the disease, the muscle may atrophy (deteriorate). Many activities may become very difficult, including:
• • Lifting arms above shoulders
  • Climbing stairs
  • Getting out of a chair
  • Getting into and out of automobiles
  • Raising the head from a pillow
  • Getting up off of the floor
• Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia). Muscle damage to the upper part of the esophagus may lead to dysphagia and food regurgitation. In some cases, food may be misdirected into the lungs, possibly leading to pneumonia. Any instances of dysphagia may indicate the need for immediate assistance.
• Shortness of breath and cough. Rarely, the lungs may be affected by weakness, causing shortness of breath and cough. This may indicate the need for immediate medical assistance.
• Raynaud syndrome. This peripheral vascular disorder, marked by discoloration of the fingers and toes accompanied by tingling sensations, may occur in any form of myositis.
• Myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle). Rarely, the heart may be affected by inflammation and weakness. This may lead to heart failure or arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat).
• Gastrointestinal abnormalities. Bleeding ulcers in the intestine or stomach may cause abdominal pain and black or bloody bowel movements. This is more common in children than in adults.
• Contractures. Muscles may shorten and cause a joint to remain in a flexed (bent) position. This may occur due to scarring during healing or to lack of exercise. It is seen more often in children than adults.
• Vasculitis. The blood vessels that lie under the skin and in the muscles may become inflamed. In some cases, these inflamed vessels may lead to open sores in the skin that may be as small as a pencil point or as large as a silver dollar. These sores may be deep or just on the surface and may last from a few days to several months. They typically go away with treatment. Vasculitis with or without open sores occurs in children more often than in adults.
• Lipodystrophy. Abnormal redistribution of fat may occur with myositis. It occurs in children more often than adults.
• Other symptoms include:
• • Low-grade fever
  • Fatigue
  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Myalgia (muscular pain and stiffness)
  • Malaise (general unwell feeling)
  • Irritability
  • Nasal voice or loss of voice
  • Stunted growth in children

Dermatomyositis may have any of the general symptoms of myositis, but is characterized by the addition of skin abnormalities. A brown coloration or pale discoloration and scarring or shriveling may develop after any rashes fade. Skin abnormalities that may be seen in dermatomyositis include:

• Heliotrope rash. Shadowy reddish-purple rash on the face, particularly the nose, cheeks and eyelids. Rash on the eyelids is usually accompanied by edema (swelling).
• Gottron sign. Pink or purple rash that may be scaly, smooth or raised. This may appear anywhere on the body, but typically occurs on the knuckles, elbows, knees and ankles.
• Smooth erythema (discolored inflammation). Smooth, violet-colored inflammation. May appear on the backs of the shoulders and neck (shawl sign) or on the front of the neck and upper chest (V sign).
• Rash affecting the fingertips. The bed of the fingernail may become red and the area around the nail may swell.
• Calcinosis. Deposits of calcium and phosphate in the fat layer beneath the skin. These may be as small as a period or as large as a pebble and small deposits may join together to form larger lumps.

Several symptoms of inclusion body myositis (IBM) occur and develop differently from other forms of myositis. The characteristic muscle weakness in the trunk may be accompanied by muscle weakness in the limbs and some facial muscles for IBM patients. Asymmetric weakness occurs more commonly in IBM than in other forms of myositis, but still does not occur more often than symmetric weakness. For IBM patients who experience difficulty in swallowing, this may be the first complaint, preceding muscle weakness by as many as seven years.

Diagnosis methods for myositis

Early diagnosis leads to early treatment and better chances of recovery. Physicians will perform a physical examination, evaluate the patient’s medical history and request laboratory and imaging tests. Other possible conditions that could be causing the symptoms will be evaluated and ruled out. When diagnosing children, many physicians avoid using painful or invasive tests.

If a child demonstrates typical muscle weakness, elevated muscle enzymes in the blood and (in the case of dermatomyositis) characteristic rash, these tests may not be needed. In adults, proximal (closer to the body's midline) muscle weakness on physical examination, elevated levels of enzymes derived from muscles, myopathic changes on electromyography and muscle biopsy evidence of inflammation are diagnostic criteria for polymyositis.

Physicians typically look for certain criteria before diagnosing a patient with myositis. These criteria include:

• Muscle weakness at shoulder or hips
• Increased levels of muscle enzymes in the blood
• Characteristic muscle tissue changes observed under a microscope
• Abnormal electrical activity in the muscles measured by electromyography
• In the case of dermatomyositis, characteristic rash

Physical examination pays particular attention to strength testing. Physicians typically hold a patient’s arm or leg and have the patient move it while mild resistance is applied. This can help the physician determine the degree of muscle weakness that is present.

Several tests are particularly helpful in the diagnosis of myositis. These include:

• Muscle biopsies. A small piece of muscle tissue is removed and examined for abnormal proteins and enzyme deficiencies. Muscle biopsy is the definitive test for myositis and may reveal abnormalities such as damage, inflammation, disease or infections. The particular form of myositis present can typically be identified by small differences in inflammation patterns. Muscle biopsy is particularly useful in diagnosing inclusion body myositis (IBM). Muscle biopsy is essential for establishing the diagnosis of polymyositis.
• Blood tests. Certain enzymes tests may indicate elevated levels of creatine kinase for some forms of myositis. This indicates muscle damage and may be used to help rule out other conditions. An ANA test can identify the presence of antinuclear antibodies, which may be present in some forms of myositis. Complete blood count and sedimentation rate tests are typically normal in myositis patients and may be performed to rule out other conditions. There are a few other autoantibodies that can be measured in blood (e.g., Anti-Jo1, Ati SRP).  
• Electromyography (EMG). A thin electrode is inserted into a muscle and electrical activity is measured as the patient relaxes or tightens the muscle. Although EMG can be painful, it reveals abnormal muscle function and may be used to assist in ruling out other conditions.

• MRI (magnetic resonance imaging). Images of the muscle are generated using magnetic and radio waves. MRI can demonstrate areas of muscle inflammation and, because large areas can be accessed, sampling errors may be avoided. This is a nonpainful and noninvasive or minimally invasive procedure.

Certain other conditions may have symptoms similar to those seen in myositis. It is important to rule these out as the cause of the symptoms so that the proper condition may be treated. These conditions include:

• Viral infections
• Scleroderma
• Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
• Muscular dystrophy
• Various other myopathies (muscle diseases)
• Exposure to toxins
• Drug reaction
• Hypothyroidism

Reviewed By:
Vikas Garg, M.D., MSA

Article found at ivillage

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Lord I as a Warrior of the Light I do know that tragic things happen in the world from the beginning of time to the end of time, as these tragic things happen I am still touched with grief and compassion. I come to you humbled and ask that you bring comfort to family members that have lost a mother, father, son, daughter, sister, brother, grandmother, grandfather, friend.......

I ask that you heal those who have been injured,

those who maybe waiting for rescue that you stay with them and provide comfort till a helping hand comes and recover them.

Lord I ask that you wrapp your arms around this nation at this moment bring unity, love, calmness, and understanding in this moment of confusion and sadness.

For those who may read this blog feel free to add your prayer wishes.

Love, light, and Peace

Nika Bright Light Warrior

Adiós (for now),

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