Q: I am a 41 years old female having muscular pains. I find difficulty in getting up from my chair and find it very difficult to move for 10 minutes but after that the pain subsides. I am feeling pain in my ankles, hips, thighs etc. I have a history of joint pain and muscle pain. Earlier there was swelling in the morning also but now there is no swelling. I am taking medicines for blood pressure for the last one month. I have consulted a doctor who prescribed Evion, which I am taking for the last 20 days but the problem persists.

A:I think with the history that you are giving me of girdle weakness and muscle pain and aches we should rule out a condition, which is known as Polymyositis. Polymyositis is an uncommon connective tissue disease. It's a type of inflammatory myopathy, which is characterised by muscle inflammation and weakness. The most noticeable characteristic of polymyositis is weakness of the skeletal muscles, which control movement. Polymyositis can occur at any age, but it mostly affects adults sometime between their 30s and 50s. It's more common in females. Polymyositis signs and symptoms usually develop gradually, over weeks or months.

The best way to diagnose this is a combination of blood tests, muscle biopsy, EMG and occasionally MRI. You should see a good rheumatologist who can help in diagnosis and treatment if required.