Muscular dystrophy

[salari]

Hi,
My brother is unable to walk because he is gradually lacking strength in his legs,
and now it is happening with his hands also,

When it was reported in initial stages, we consulted doctrors they reffered to PGIs in  india but unfortunately we came to know that it is not curable.

Can any body help by telling where should we go now, and it is curable or not..

Thanks

[hitu123123]

My niece is 4and half years old. Recently she has been diagnosed with Muscular dystrophy. She cannot stand without the use of her hands. Usually it takes nearly 15 to 20 secs. If  she wants to climb her bed she is not able to lift her leg up (not even 18"). she takes full support of her body to climb. It is very disheartening to see her. Her growth is also not as a normal child.
Last week we visited a physiotherapist, who made us all serious. He was saying that the life expectancy of the patients with M.D don't live long may be 5 to 25 yrs after the disease is detected.  He even suggested for a second baby, but he wanted the parents to meet a neurologist and ask him if the second baby will be normal or not?
Please help. I want to see smile on the parents face.

[Abhijeet Deshmukh, MD]

Hello.

I am sorry to say that we can not cure the dystrophy. There is an inherited condition.

But please do not get discouraged. The life expectancy is good. Usually the patients go on to live in their sixties. You brother's quality of life will suffer, but he can still do his own work with help of devices.

He should avoid inactivity. It worsens the condition. Steroids are known to help slow the progression of the dystrophy. There are some new experimental medicines these days which are thought to help the condition.

You may visit occupational therapists and physical therapists for additional advice.

Hope this helps. Please keep me posted.

Regards