Can anyone tell me what this ailment is called?

[starone]

First it is congenital and affects male and female. The person affected seems to be all right when a child but the disability starts in early adulthood. There is wasting of the muscles in legs and arms but the body seems to get fatter. In order to walk the person raises his/her feet in a high stepping way. Deterioration is slow but by the time the person reaches early sixties a wheelchair becomes necessary and various aids to carry out the things required by living. It is not Duchennes muscular dystrophy as although the symptoms are alike it does not start right away and I think only males get Duchennes and life expectancy is only about 25 or so. I would very much like to know what it is called.

[cupid04]

Ataxia?

[Sqad]

Starby.........this could apply to many congenital disorders.

Freidrich's Ataxia.
Congenital Syphilis.

Can you give us any more information or clues?

[starone]

Just read through the description of ataxia and it certainly seems to fit the symptoms. There are a lot of different types and I am sure this will fit one of them. Thanks cupid.

[starone]

I can trace it back to the great grandfather - he served in the first world war so he must have been reasonably fit, although from what I have read they would enlist anyone as long as they had the requisite number of functional limbs. So I don't think it is syphilis unless it hangs about in the congenital blood.. I'll just go and have a look at Freidrich's Ataxia. Back later.

[starone]

Right - can't say I understood all that but the lady concerned has developed diabetes but there is no curvature of her spine. Any treatment has been to try and alleviate the symptoms and I know there is no cure as I have watched other members of the family succumb in the end. They have all managed to live into their sixties but not beyond that. They have gone on having children through ignorance I suppose, except one who was wise enough to tell his prospective wife - no children. They adopted two. I suppose the desire for children is a part of life. I thought I saw a description using a strange name like Daisy something, but that may not be any help.

[Sqad]

Starby...sorry....can't do better than my two mentioned above.

Perhaps just one more Tabes Dorsales which is also syphilitic.

[starone]

Thanks sqad, I reckon that is the nearest I am going to get and it sounds about right.

[Sqad]

Another thought...try Charcot -Marie -Tooth Disease.
Usually affects the legs, but can also affect the arms.

[starone]

That's it sqad. I have had a look and the description is perfect. Charcot Marie Tooth disease - the name was Marie not Daisy. Thanks a lot for your help. I am just about to put another question up which I think you will probably be able to answer.