Lambert-Eaton Myasthenic Syndrome

Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS) is a rare autoimmune disorder of the

neuromuscular junction

. It is a miscommunication between the nerve cell and the muscles that lead to the gradual onset of muscle weakness. It starts in the

proximal

 muscles of the legs or arms.
LEMS patients with cancer tend to be older -predominantly males- and nearly always have a long history of smoking.
Symptoms

Gradual lower limb weakness

or Gradual upper limb weakness

common

Trouble walking

common

Fatigue

common

Dry mouth

common

Numbness or tingling in shoulders arms or hands

or Numbness or tingling in legs, feet, or buttocks

common

Decreased ability to understand or express language

or Swallowing difficulties

common

Droopy eyelids

or Double vision

common

Muscle pain

common

Joint stiffness

  • Difficulty moving elbow, Difficulty moving wrist

  • Limited ankle movement, Difficulty moving knee

or Difficulty moving shoulder

or Difficulty moving hip

common

Difficulty breathing

Decreased sexual desire

Dry skin on arms or hands

or Dry skin on legs or feet

Difficulty passing stool

Sense of incomplete emptying of urine

Risk factors

Weight loss

Hashimoto thyroiditis

or Inflammation of the colon

or Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)

or Rheumatoid arthritis

Smoking

Treatment
There's currently no cure for LEMS, but a number of treatments can help reduce the symptoms. 1-Treatment for lung cancer – if you have lung cancer, treating it can significantly improve the symptoms of LEMS 2-Medicine to help nerve signals reach the muscles 3-Medicine to reduce the activity of the immune system (immunosuppressants) 4-Immunoglobulin therapy – injections of antibodies from donated blood that temporarily stop your immune system attacking your nerves 5-Plasmapheresis – a procedure to redirect your blood through a machine that filters out the antibodies attacking your nerves Medicine is the main treatment, although immunoglobulin therapy and plasmapheresis may be recommended in the short term, or if muscle weakness is severe and other treatments have not helped.
Recommended specialist

If you have Lambert-Eaton Myasthenic Syndrome, then a visit to a neurologist is highly recommended.

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