fatique , muscle weekness ect

[Guest guest]

hmm , ran across this looking at a neuro abstracts summary , and found it

intresting ....seems like the full article might be worth searching out , for

those experiencing severe fatique , and sharing with their doctor if it seems

relevent to you .

sarah in paradise

ps , as posted recently in discusion , i too think exercise in moderation ,

and as tollerated without an increase in pain ,.....( each person being

attentive and finding what works best for them , is one way to help combat

that fatique without more medications .)

Apathy and Hypersomnia Are Common Features of Myotonic Dystrophy

Rubinsztein JS, Rubinsztein DC, Goodburn S, Holland AJ

J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 1998; 64(4):510-5

Objectives: Myotonic dystrophy is a disease characterised by myotonia and

muscle weakness. Psychiatric disorder and sleep problems have also been

considered important features of the illness. This study investigated the

extent to which apathy, major depression, and hypersomnolence were present.

The objective was to clarify if the apathy reported anecdotally was a feature

of CNS involvement or if this was attributable to major depression,

hypersomnolence, or a consequence of chronic muscle weakness.

Methods: These features were studied in 36 adults with non-congenital

myotonic dystrophy and 13 patients with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease. By using

patients with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease as a comparison group the aim was

to control for the disabling effects of having an inherited chronic

neurological disease causing muscle weakness. Standardised assessment

instruments were used wherever possible to facilitate comparison with other

groups reported in the medical literature.

Results: There was no excess of major depression on cross sectional analysis

in these patients with mild myotonic dystrophy. However, apathy was a

prominent feature of myotonic dystrophy in comparison with a similarly

disabled group of patients with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (clinician rated

score; Mann Whitney U test, p=0.0005). Rates of hypersomnolence were greater

in the myotonic dystrophy group, occurring in 39% of myotonic dystrophy

patients, but there was no correlation with apathy.

Conclusion: These data suggest that apathy and hypersomnia are independent

and common features of myotonic dystrophy. Apathy cannot be accounted for by

clinical depression or peripheral muscle weakness and is therefore likely to

reflect CNS involvement. These features of the disease impair quality of life

and may be treatable.