If you have a form of myositis and take steroids as part of your treatment, you already know how challenging this can be. Corticosteroids like prednisone are often the first thing the doctor prescribes for most forms of myositis, but they also come with major side effects.
Steroids mimic hormones your body naturally makes, so when you take them in higher doses and for an extended period of time, they can impact your metabolism, immune function, mood, and fluid balance. This can cause symptoms like increased appetite, weight gain, mood changes, trouble sleeping, fluid retention, and stomach irritation. When taken for months or even years, as myositis sometimes requires, you may be faced with other more challenging side effects including weaker bones (osteoporosis), easy bruising, increased risk of infection, high blood pressure, cataracts or glaucoma, slow wound healing, and even muscle weakness.
The Myositis Association (TMA) has partnered with SAM (Steroids and Me) to give those who live with myositis clearer, more personalized support as they navigate corticosteroid treatment. Through this partnership, TMA now provides access to SAM’s easy‑to‑understand educational resources, A‑to‑Z steroid guides, and its Journey Tracker, a digital tool that helps patients log symptoms, monitor side effects, and prepare for conversations with their care teams.
TMA features SAM across its educational platforms—including webinars, the TMA website, and email communications—ensuring that people with myositis receive reliable, plain‑language information to help them feel informed, supported, and more in control of their treatment journey. This collaboration empowers patients and families to better navigate long‑term steroid use and promotes more effective communication with their physicians.