CMT ?

[USMC-COMBATE_READY]

When I was in the Marine corps. apparently the water had extremely high levels of trichloroethylene (TCE), tetrachloroethylene (PCE), vinyl chloride (VC) and benzene . Not sure if this is related to my feet issues or not.

My family doc. has diagnosed me with Bylateral planter fibromasts ,Bilateral neralja Metertalsarga , and Pescavis. But my wife (Chiropractor, teaches Anatomy) and father a (Nurse practitioner) of many years belive its CMT?

[DawnD]

Hi. The only definitive test for CMT is the genetic blood test. Ask your GP to get one done.

[Amanita]

Hi USMC,

CMT is usually inherited from a parent. Anyone with a parent who has the defective gene has a 50% chance of inheriting it, though occasionally cases can arise spontaneously (and can then be inherited) . In fact there are numerous genes which when faulty can cause different types of CMT (well over 80 I think - most of them rare). A blood test is for a laboratory to look for any of the commoner faulty genes which can be responsible for CMT, CMT 1A being the most common type. It can take several months to get a result.

A nerve conduction study can determine whether you have slower or weaker than normal nerve activity, and indicate the presence or absence of neuropathy. If CMT is suspected it can distinguish between 2 main categories - those where the coating of the nerves is faulty and slows down the signals, and those where the nerve fibre itself is faulty, causing the signals to be weaker. It produces useful information about nerve activity but it cannot actually determine whether you have CMT.

Did/do either of your parents have CMT? Common features of the condition include high insteps (pes cavus), foot drop (difficulty lifting the front part of your foot when stepping over obstacles, and consequently tripping), weak ankles, curled toes, poor balance, weak hands (especially finger/thumb grip), reduced sensation in feet and hands, and no, or weak, reflexes. CMT affects the peripheral nervous system - i.e. the nerves outwith your brain and spinal cord.

However, even with the same type of CMT and in the same family, symptoms and their severity can vary quite a lot.

I have no knowledge at all about the effect of chemicals on the nervous system, so cannot comment about that, but hope you have a better idea about what CMT is, now.

I do hope you will be able to get a diagnosis for your symptoms, and that you will get some help and support for dealing with them.

[REGreen]

Dear USMC-COMBATE-READY,

What your doctor has diagnosed are symptoms not a disease. These symptoms could be caused by CMT or possibly some other disease. You need to get a proper diagnosis and it seems your family may be right about it. Treatment will depend on the diagnosis, so push for a full assessment with a neurologist.

Best wishes,

RE Green