| Myth -- McArdle’s patients suffer pain after exercise or exertion Fact -- McArdle’s patients suffer pain during every day activities that others tolerate easily. They experience pain & cramping while walking, climbing the stairs, opening bottles, carrying groceries, brushing their teeth & drying their hair. Myth -- McArdle’s Disease is mild & non-progressive. Fact -- Progression & severity of symptoms vary among patients. For most, McArdle's progresses the most in their 30s & 40s. McArdle’s patients can, have & do end up with legs braces, in wheelchairs & bed-ridden. Myth -- Only Skeletal muscle is affected by McArdle’s Disease. Fact -- In some cases, cardiac (heart) muscle is also affected. Myth --McArdle’s Disease is inherited in an autosomal recessive pattern. Fact -- It is possible for rare cases of McArdle’s to be inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern. Autosomal RECESSIVE means that BOTH parents must pass on the defective gene. Even if neither parent actually has the disease each child will have a 25% chance of being affected. With autosomal DOMINANT inheritance, only one parent need pass on the gene yet each child has a 50% chance of being born with the disease. Medical historians have recorded people who have both a parent & child - and even 3rd generation -diagnosed with McArdle’s. These cases are not yet documented in the medical literature but appear to have no other explanation except dominant inheritance. Myth -- McArdle’s is extremely rare in children. Fact -- McArdle’s is rarely diagnosed during childhood. Most patients have been life long sufferers. Myth -- There is no treatment for McArdle’s Disease Fact -- There is specialized treatment & care for people with McArdle’s disease. Those following an individual treatment plan are having some success managing some of the symptoms of McArdle’s Syndrome. |
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| This article was written by Ruth Speary Visit her website by clicking here. |