Muscle wastage and possible solutions

[Guest guest]

I have CM T3 and for general health reasons I tried a fresh fruit and

vegetable/low protein diet sometime ago and I found that I lost a significant

amount of weight.

I weighed approximately 40 kg at the time before commencing the diet, and

afterwards I dropped to approximately 33 kg. Perhaps the most obvious change

was a significant loss of muscle tone particularly in my arms and legs.

I basically look like a skeleton (according to my very diplomatic husband).

Over the following years I have rapidly lost the functional use of my arms,

hands and legs, which I have put down to the progressive muscle wastage

presumably due to my CMT damaged nerves continuing to deteriorate and failing to

communicate effectively with my muscles.

I have recently begun to wonder whether being on the low protein diet may have

contributed to the muscle deterioration.

What has been the experiences of other CMT sufferers?

I remember a physiotherapist once commenting that being on a high protein diet

(using protein drinks) might be beneficial. Has anyone else tried this and what

has been the outcome?

I am particularly interested in conserving, if not recovering some muscular

strength especially for my chest muscles as I am having significant respiratory

stress just with general breathing (especially in summer Australia).

I am a little sceptical but open to options/suggestions about how to build up

muscle strength, since my neurologist told me that exercising is not necessarily

beneficial for CMT because the nature of the disease is that there will be a

gradual breakdown of communication between the damaged nerves and the muscular

system.

Just looking for something positive to try to proactively maximise my health if

I can. Looking forward to hearing from you guys.

Regards

Therese