Dealing with Diagnosis

One of the most frustrating things you will face during your CJD experience is obtaining a diagnosis for your loved one. They will undoubtedly undergo a vigorous testing regime of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI’s), electroencephalography (EEG’s), cat-scans, and a special analysis of the spinal fluid for the presence of a proteinthat is released from damaged or dyingnerve cells, and all the while they will continue to deteriorate before your eyes. Unfortunately these tests are not sensitive enough to identify every case of CJD. If a neurologist has 2 or 3 positive results however, the diagnosis is likely to be CJD.

You may have read already on the CJD Support Group Network’s pages about the symptoms of CJD and the rapidity of these symptoms. It is important to note, though, that while someone may experience all of the “usual” symptoms, it is also highly probable that they will experience only some, which can make accurately diagnosing the disease difficult for the neurologists providing them care.

Some of the symptoms of fCJD may include:

Depression
Uncharacteristic behavior
Memory lapses
Fatigue
Visual disturbances/hallucinations
Gait ataxia (unsteadiness)
Cerebella ataxia (lack of coordination)
Difficulty speaking and swallowing
Myoclonus (jerky movements)
Rigid limbs
Blindness
Incontinence