Abstract

THE HISTORY

A 54-year-old-lady, Mrs T, presented with deteriorating mobility. This had come on gradually over several years. Two years prior to presentation, while on holiday she could walk her dog 2–3 miles, twice a day. The following year she was aware she could not walk as far, and at presentation she could only walk short distances secondary to fatigue and a fear of falling, although there had been no falls. She could manage one flight of stairs with difficulty and complained of problems opening jars. In retrospect, a friend had commented on thinning of her calves some 4 or 5 years previously. There had been no rash or myalgia, nor any history suggestive of myoglobinuria. Her only sensory symptom was of numbness on the anterolateral aspect of the right thigh.

She had been born at full term following a normal labour and delivery. There were no reported respiratory