by Freann

Juvenile Dermatomyositis is a lot like arthritis, but it is a problem with your muscles rather than just your joints, and it eventually goes away.

I had to take medicines for about four years to stop my illness. My limbs were becoming very stiff and it was getting difficult to bend or do lots of things. All of my muscles were bent and it hurt to straighten them, but now, because of medicines, I can straighten them very easily.

As well as stiff muscles and joints, I started getting bad skin about a year ago. I had lots of wrinkling to my skin. I don't always feel good about being ill, and I'd like to be more mobile. At the moment, I'm in hospital for two weeks, working with the specialists, doing special exercises that will make my muscles stronger.

I was a bit worried about coming to hospital. It wasn't the first time I'd been, as I come here every 10 days for blood tests.

I've had a good day today. My stay didn't turn out too bad, as I got to watch some videos and that takes your mind of being in hospital, and the nurses were looking after me all day. There are always lots of other kids around.

I met three doctors today. One checked my muscles, the second one talked to me about how I was getting on. The third doctor did some blood tests on me - that was the worst thing, I don't really like it. They don't hurt though, in fact, they hurt less, the more you have them done. He also checked my heart with a stethoscope, took my temperature and my blood pressure. They were all very nice doctors!

This story may have been edited by Children First for Health for editorial and confidentiality reasons only.

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• Myositis Support

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