[48M] With progressive lower limb muscle weakness and balance issues

What might be happening

Based on the symptoms you've described, there are a few possibilities:

• Neuromuscular disorders: These are conditions that affect the nerves that control your voluntary muscles. Voluntary muscles are the ones you can control, like in your arms and legs. Your symptoms of muscle weakness and wasting, along with a high Creatine Kinase level, could be indicative of a neuromuscular disorder. Some examples include muscular dystrophy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and peripheral neuropathy.

  • Diagnosis often involves a combination of clinical evaluation, nerve conduction studies, electromyography (EMG), and sometimes genetic testing or muscle biopsy. Treatment depends on the specific condition and is usually aimed at managing symptoms and maintaining mobility and function for as long as possible.

• Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP): This is a neurological disorder characterized by progressive weakness and impaired sensory function in the legs and arms. The disorder, which is sometimes called chronic relapsing polyneuropathy, is caused by damage to the myelin sheath (the fatty covering that wraps around and protects nerve fibers) of the peripheral nerves.

  • Treatment often involves medications to suppress the immune response, such as corticosteroids, and physical therapy to improve muscle strength, function and mobility.

• Spinal cord disorders: Conditions that affect the spinal cord, such as spinal muscular atrophy or spinal cord injury, can also cause muscle weakness and wasting. However, these conditions often have additional symptoms like changes in sensation or bowel and bladder function.

  • Diagnosis often involves imaging studies like MRI, and treatment is usually focused on managing symptoms and preventing complications.

What you can do

Given the severity and duration of your symptoms, it's important to seek medical attention. A healthcare provider can perform a thorough evaluation and order appropriate tests to determine what might be causing your symptoms. They can also recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms and improve your quality of life.

What you should look out for

You should seek immediate medical attention if you experience:

• Sudden worsening of your symptoms
• Difficulty breathing
• Difficulty swallowing
• Changes in sensation, such as numbness or tingling
• Changes in bowel or bladder function

Please remember that this advice is intended to be general in nature, and specific causes may not apply to your situation. Always consult with a healthcare provider for accurate information.