Common Misdiagnoses of Myopathy

Myopathy is a muscular disorder that has various causes. The most common symptoms of myopathy include muscle weakness, cramps and spasms. The prognosis for this condition depends on the cause, as some cases are mild and allow for a normal life, while others can result in a disability or short lifespan. Therefore, it is recommended that you get the condition diagnosed and treated as soon as you notice symptoms.

Proper Diagnosis Procedure

Most doctors request a medical history from the patient, including a list of any conditions that family members have, as some types of myopathy are congenital. The symptoms are considered as well, though most doctors also request that the patient show examples of their issues. For instance, they might test the patient's ability to walk, get up from a chair or maintain their balance.

A blood test that determines the level of muscle protein in the blood can also help diagnose myopathy. The blood is also tested for hormones and antibodies if either endocrine or inflammation is suspected to be the cause of the myopathy. In addition, a muscle tissue biopsy is often advised to properly diagnose this condition.

Misread Diagnosis

Doctors who rely solely on symptoms to diagnose myopathy may assume the symptoms are caused by another condition. Even those who run a blood test may misread the results, which is why completing a few tests is recommended.

Severe cases of hyperthyroidism may result in muscle weakness, which may cause some doctors to incorrectly diagnose this condition instead of myopathy. However, the typical patient with hyperthyroidism does not experience muscle weakness. Instead, fatigue, weight loss and an increase in both perspiration and appetite are the most common symptoms of hyperthyroidism. Blood tests should be able to distinguish between the two conditions, but doctors relying only on symptoms may confuse them.

Another condition with some similar symptoms is polio, as fatigue, muscle stiffness and spasms may occur in some cases. In fact, it sometimes results in total paralysis. However, most patients with polio suffer from a headache, sore throat and vomiting rather than muscle issues.

Get a Lawyer

Many cases of myopathy can be successfully treated when caught quickly, which is why a correct diagnosis the first time is so important. If your doctor was negligent in diagnosing myopathy, resulting in long-term health problems, contact a lawyer with experience with medical malpractice cases. You may be able to get your past and future myopathy-related medical bills paid for if you win your case.