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• Nerves & brain >> Motor Neurone Disease >> Rarer forms - PMA (progressive muscular atrophy) >> Jim - Interview 18 >> At first his GP reassured him it was nothing to worry about, but referred him to a neurologist. Within four months of referral he had a diagnosis of P

Jim was diagnosed 2 years ago (2005) with Progressive Muscular Atrophy (PMA) form of MND. His legs and arms are affected but not speech.

• Nerves & brain >> Motor Neurone Disease >> ALS- amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/MND aged 50-64 >> Phil - Interview 28 >> The first GP he saw assumed his symptoms were smoking-related. After a fall he was referred to a neurologist who diagnosed MND after eliminating other

Phil was diagnosed just over a year ago, after nearly 2 years of leg weakness. He is still able to walk at home but uses a wheelchair and scooter outdoors. He has some weakness in his right arm.

• Nerves & brain >> Motor Neurone Disease >> ALS- amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/MND aged 50-64 >> Slawomir - Interview 33 >> He had problems getting referred to neurology and had long waits between appointments. In the end he saw a neurologist privately and had a private MRI

Slawomir was diagnosed 3 months ago, 18 months after first noticing weakness in his leg. He wonders if he may in fact have Lyme Disease. He can still walk and drive.

• Nerves & brain >> Motor Neurone Disease >> Rarer forms - PMA (progressive muscular atrophy) >> Pauline - Interview 30 >> She had lengthy investigations and an operation for a spinal cyst which made no difference. Eventually she was told she had MND.

Pauline was diagnosed with PMA (progressive muscular atrophy) about 2 years ago (2005), after several years of leg weakness. She cannot walk far and uses a wheelchair, but is still able to work full-time.

• Nerves & brain >> Motor Neurone Disease >> Rarer forms - PMA (progressive muscular atrophy) >> Pauline - Interview 30 >> She would prefer doctors to explain that MND is one of the things they are looking for and that the diagnostic process for can be long and uncertain.

Pauline was diagnosed with PMA (progressive muscular atrophy) about 2 years ago (2005), after several years of leg weakness. She cannot walk far and uses a wheelchair, but is still able to work full-time.

• Nerves & brain >> Motor Neurone Disease >> ALS- amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/MND aged 65+ >> Cordelia - Interview 13 >> She went to a conference on spinal muscular atrophy, thinking this was her diagnosis. A neurologist told her she was at the wrong conference. He later

Cordelia was diagnosed a year ago (2005) with MND after investigations for other conditions including spinal muscular atrophy. She now has considerable muscle weakness.

• Nerves & brain >> Motor Neurone Disease >> Rarer forms - PLS (primary lateral sclerosis) >> Peter - Interview 20 >> At first they were told his symptoms did not fit the diagnostic criteria for MND. They were happy to leave it at that. Later PLS was diagnosed. [Peter

Peter was diagnosed with primary lateral sclerosis (PLS) 8 years ago (1998). Symptoms progressed quickly at first, but now more slowly. His speech was severely affected, so he was interviewed through his wife Ann. His mobility is also affected.

• Nerves & brain >> Motor Neurone Disease >> Rarer forms - familial/inherited >> Liz - Interview 22 >> MND runs in her family so she was referred quickly when she developed symptoms. She didn't want to believe it at first, but was glad to be diagnosed e

Liz was diagnosed with rare inherited (familial) form of MND 8 years ago (1998). Sixth member of her family to be diagnosed. Has weakness in her arms and legs, and some speech difficulties. Has a PEG but does not use it yet.

• Nerves & brain >> Motor Neurone Disease >> ALS- amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/MND aged 50-64 >> Slawomir - Interview 33 >> He takes several supplements and herbal remedies, but also low-dose naltrexone, normally used to treat addiction. His neurologist will not prescribe i

Slawomir was diagnosed 3 months ago, 18 months after first noticing weakness in his leg. He wonders if he may in fact have Lyme Disease. He can still walk and drive.

• Nerves & brain >> Motor Neurone Disease >> Bulbar onset >> Mike - Interview 23 >> They were offered stem cell treatment by a private clinic which has since closed. They'd do anything for a real cure, but exploiting desperate people

Mike was diagnosed with bulbar onset MND 2 years ago in 2005. He is now unable to speak, so was interviewed through his wife Gill. He uses a whiteboard and Lightwriter to communicate. He has a PEG (Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy).

• Nerves & brain >> Motor Neurone Disease >> ALS- amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/MND aged 50-64 >> Stuart - Interview 05 >> He was so relieved at finally getting a diagnosis that he laughed. He was told he would not live long but was determined to prove everyone wrong.

Stuart first noticed symptoms (legs shaking) almost 20 years ago. MND diagnosed 9 years ago (1997), after years of tests and investigations. Now uses a wheelchair.

• Nerves & brain >> Motor Neurone Disease >> ALS- amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/MND aged 50-64 >> Phil - Interview 28 >> At first you can't take in any information. It is a good idea to have another appointment within a week so you can think what you need to ask.

Phil was diagnosed just over a year ago, after nearly 2 years of leg weakness. He is still able to walk at home but uses a wheelchair and scooter outdoors. He has some weakness in his right arm.

• Nerves & brain >> Motor Neurone Disease >> Rarer forms - PMA (progressive muscular atrophy) >> Jim - Interview 18 >> He prefers to be told if his symptoms have progressed, even if it's upsetting. Staff have a difficult judgement to make about what different people wa

Jim was diagnosed 2 years ago (2005) with Progressive Muscular Atrophy (PMA) form of MND. His legs and arms are affected but not speech.

• Nerves & brain >> Motor Neurone Disease >> Rarer forms - PMA (progressive muscular atrophy) >> Paul - Interview 09 >> Access to professional journals on the internet helped him know what questions to discuss with specialists, but many internet sites are unreliable.

Paul's diagnosis of progressive muscular atrophy was confirmed 2 years ago (2004) after several years of leg pain and weakness. Now unable to walk and he has limited arm movement. Uses a ventilator, but his speech is not affected. He worked until 6 months ago.

• Nerves & brain >> Motor Neurone Disease >> ALS- amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/MND aged 20-49 >> Kim - Interview 10 >> It seems pointless being assessed by the neurologist every six months. She may find clinic visits more useful when she needs more help from a range of

Kim was diagnosed with MND (ALS) about a year ago (2005). Now unable to walk she needs help with most daily tasks, but is still working as an occupational therapist and able to drive. Her speech is not affected.

• Nerves & brain >> Motor Neurone Disease >> ALS- amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/MND aged 65+ >> Sylvia - Interview 25 >> She suggests professionals need to give people 'good facts as well as bad facts', because people need hope that the condition may progress slowly.

Sylvia was diagnosed a year ago in 2005, after noticing difficulties walking. She can move around at home with a trolley, and uses a wheelchair or scooter outdoors. She uses non-invasive ventilation regularly.

• Nerves & brain >> Motor Neurone Disease >> ALS- amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/MND aged 50-64 >> Peter - Interview 38 >> He feels staff should offer newly diagnosed people positive suggestions for what they can do to keep active, and let them know what research is going

Peter was diagnosed three years ago (2004). Symptoms started in his arms and hands, and progressed to his legs. He now uses a wheelchair full-time.