<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>>

Hello Everyone,

I would just like to post that if anyone is experiencing a diagnosed
myositis (any of the myositis diseases) (this is inflammation and weakness
of the muscles which can also have a rash)with celiac disease or dermatitis
herpetiformis to please contact:

Sharon E. Hesterlee, Phd.
Director of Research Development
Muscular Dystrophy Assoc.
3300 E. Sunrise Drive
Tucson, AZ  85718
[log in to unmask]
520-529-5433

The MDA would like to establish a list so that they may possibly study the
relationship of myositis to celiac disease.

If you are experiencing muscle weakness, shortness of breath, difficulty
from getting up from a couch, pain in muscles, visit your rheumatologist
for testing. Please do not assume tha t muscle weakness can be from
malabsorption only.  More information on myositis is available at
www.myositis.org.  I am celiac and then developed dermatomyositis six
years after being on the gluten free diet.  This is another autoimmune
disease which affects the muscles.

Elaine