MULTIFOCAL MOTOR NEUROPATHY

MULTIFOCAL MOTOR NEUROPATHY

Overview and Facts

One disease that affects your body’s motor nerves is multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN). The nerves that are afflicted by MMN are the nerves that control and direct your body’s muscles. Individuals with this condition have arms and hands which may feel weak. This is because the condition makes it difficult for the brain to send electrical signals which move, thus, a twitching and cramping sensation may also be felt.

Many treatments are available for MMN. In most cases, these treatments can make the muscles grow stronger. Furthermore, the disease is not life-threatening. However, the disease can progress into a much worse state slowly and you will be having a hard time doing daily tasks such as typing or getting dressed. However, in a lot of cases, symptoms may be so mild that they don’t interfere with your daily activities, therefore, not necessitating the need for treatment. These individuals can carry on with their daily lives for a long time after their diagnosis.

Majority of people with MMN are already in their 40s and 50s. However, it may also affect individuals aged 20 to 80 years old.

Types and Symptoms

SYMPTOMS

The regions of your body where you will first feel symptoms are your hands and lower arms. The muscles in those parts of your body may feel weakness or cramps, or may twitch uncontrollably. The symptoms may start in specific parts of the body, such as the wrists and/or fingers. The symptoms are usually felt symmetrically, however, they may be more severe on one side of your body. This disease may eventually spread and affect your legs.

Since your sensory nerves are not affected by MMN, the disease itself isn’t painful. You will still be able to feel the affected regions of your body. However, symptoms will progress and will slowly get worse with age.

Diagnosis & Medications

DIAGNOSIS

MMN is often mistaken for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease). They share the same symptoms such as twitching. However, MMN is treatable as contrasted to ALS.

Your doctor may tell you to see a neurologist, a specialist who treats problems with the nervous system. He or she will give you a physical exam. He or she will also ask questions about your symptoms, like:

  • Do you have any numbness or tingling?
  • Does anything make your symptoms better? What makes them worse?
  • How long have you been feeling this way?
  • Is it worse on one side of your body?
  • Which muscles are giving you trouble?

The doctor will do some nerve and blood tests to rule out other conditions that might cause your symptoms. She may do:

  • A nerve conduction study (NCS)
  • A needle electromyography (EMG)
  • A blood test to look for GM1 antibodies, part of your body’s immune system

TREATMENT

You may not need any treatment when the symptoms that you exhibit are very mild. However, if your symptoms interfere with your daily activities, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg), may be prescribed by your neurologist.

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