Huntington's Disease is sometimes misdiagnosed as Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 2

It has been reported that some patients have been misdiagnosed with Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 2, when in fact the correct diagnosis in their specific case was Huntington's Disease.

There is no cure for Huntington's disease and treatment will not change the course of the disease. Medications are used to alleviate movement and psychiatric disorders. Management usually involves a team including doctor, psychiatrist, neurologist and dietitian. Physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy are treatment options. Medications to control mood changes as well as movement are also given. Confirmation of diagnosis is done by a genetic blood test.

Always consult your doctor or health professional, and do not self diagnose.

Symptoms can include:

Lack of impulse control, acting without thinking, lack of awareness of behaviours and abilities, involuntary jerking, writhing movements, dystonia, slow or abnormal eye movements, impaired gait and posture and balance, difficulty with speech or swallowing, difficulty organizing or prioritizing or focusing on tasks, lack of flexibility, getting stuck on a thought or behaviour or action, slowness in processing thoughts, difficulty in learning new information, social withdrawal, insomnia, fatigue and loss of energy, frequent thoughts of death or suicide, feelings of irritability or sadness or apathy

Symptoms are a guideline only and may apply to either the diagnosis or the reported misdiagnosis, or both. Consult your specialist for further information.

Further reference:

www.mayoclinic.org

Click here to go to the A-Z list of diagnoses and misdiagnoses.