Cerebellun Atrophy

[Marlen__0]

  We need help of where to go next. My sister 33 yo,Married, three children was told she has
  cerebellum atrophy and non-tropical sprue. Over the past two years she has been to many Doctors including the Mayo Clinic, none have given her any answers or effective treatment. There does not appear to be any further atropy on the most recent MRI in April 98.  She has unsteady gait, difficulty walking, swallowing, pain in legs and feet - leading to sores and blisters on feet, some unstable blood pressure, and visual distortion. She has followed the Gluten free diet and taken Vitamin E & folate which she was deficent in. Has tried other Meds? Which ones. She has remained mentally stable and very positive through all this, but needs some answers.  She has not told the family much because the Doctors haven told her anymore. She has had to go to half time working.
   Is their a Doctor anywhere who can help, or any treatment to suggest to her current Doctor?
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The causes of cerebellum damage are quite varied, ranging from hereditary to toxic exposure to inflammatory and so on. These are general categories, and within those categories there are long lists of possibilities.
Your sister should see a neurologist who has experience with cerebellar disorders. Typically, this would be a movement disorder specialist. Of course, we have a movement disorders clinic within the department of neurology at CCF and would be available at 800-223-2273 ext 4-5559.
Other centers with good movement disorders specialists include University of Michigan (Ann Arbor), Columbia Presbyterian in New York, Mayo Clinic, and others. Look for an academic medical center with a department of neurology, and specify movement disorders as a subspecialty.
I can't promise that treatment will be possible, but you don't know until you look into it, and I'm sure you at least would like to know a specific diagnosis. Hope this helps. CCF MD mdf.