Symptoms of Multifocal Motor Neuropathy (MMN)
The symptoms of MMN can be easy to brush off at first. That’s because MMN appears gradually. It can also be mistaken or misdiagnosed for other conditions with similar symptoms.
Hover over image for a fast fact about mmn 
Tap image for a fast fact about mmn
Home 
Symptoms
KNOW the key MMN symptoms
Use the acronym NOW to remember the key early symptoms of
MMN
Multifocal Motor Neuropathy (MMN)
(how to say it: muhl-tee-FOE-kuhl MOE-tur nur-AH-puh-thee)
Definition:
A rare medical disorder in which nerves that control muscles are attacked by the body's immune system.
See more glossary terms
:
NO
No effect on sense of touch, but may involve cramping, spasms, or twitching
ONE
One side of the body may have more symptoms than the other (
asymmetric
Asymmetric
(how to say it: ay-suh-MEH-truhk)
Definition:
Lack or absence of symmetry; not the same on both sides. MMN symptoms are considered asymmetric because they occur on one side of the body more than the other side.
See more glossary terms
) at the start
Weakness
Weakness in hands or feet, which eventually leads to loss of muscle mass
MMN is more than muscle weakness
Weak signals from neurons affected by MMN can lead to less frequent use of muscles. If muscles are not used enough they can shrink in size, a term called "muscle atrophy." Muscle atrophy only occurs late in the course of MMN. And there are management options that may help slow down the progression of MMN.
If you have MMN, you
also may experience:
Muscle
Twitching
The medical term for this symptom is
fasciculations
Fasciculations
(how to say it: fah-sick-you-LAY-shuns)
Definition:
Small, brief muscle twitches that may be seen under the skin. These may be a symptom of a condition that affects motor neurons.
See more glossary terms
. These look like small, uncontrolled muscle twitches that are visible under the skin.
Fatigue
People with MMN say that
fatigue
Fatigue
(how to say it: fuh-TEEG)
Definition:
Extreme tiredness caused by illness or excessive activity.
See more glossary terms
keeps them from doing some of the daily activities that they were once able to do.
Limited ability to walk
You may have trouble lifting your foot if MMN weakens muscles in that foot. This can make it difficult to walk.
Limited Dexterity
If MMN affects your
dexterity
Dexterity
(how to say it: dek-STARE-uh-tee)
Definition:
Ability to perform tasks, especially with the hands.
See more glossary terms
, you may have difficulty extending your wrist or fingers. You also may notice your grip is weaker than it used to be.
MMN can affect your ability to hold onto everyday items such as a tea kettle or pitcher.
Hover over image for a fast fact about MMN
Tap image for a fast fact about MMN
How does MMN affect daily life?
MMN may affect your daily life in one or more of the following ways due to limited dexterity:
- Dropping things you’re trying to hold
- Trouble gripping a fork, spoon, or knife while eating
- Difficulty turning a key in a lock
- Struggling to button a shirt or coat
- Difficulty tying shoelaces
- Trouble texting or scrolling on smartphones
If this sounds like you, it’s time to talk to your doctor about your symptoms. It may help to fill out the symptom tracker tool and bring a copy to your medical appointment.
These are not MMN symptoms
Unlike some other
neurological
Neurological
(how to say it: noo-ruh-LAA-jih-kuhl)
Definition:
Having to do with the nervous system or nerves.
See more glossary terms
disorders, MMN does not present with the following symptoms:
The reason MMN does not cause these symptoms is that it rarely affects the
sensory
Sensory
(how to say it: SEN-sir-ee)
Definition:
Having to do with the senses (touch, sight, hearing, taste, smell).
See more glossary terms
or
cranial
Cranial
(how to say it: KRAY-nee-uhl)
Definition:
Relating to the skull or head.
See more glossary terms
neurons in your body.
Sensory neurons
Sensory neurons
(how to say it: SEN-sir-ee NUR-ahns)
Definition:
Nerve cells that make you aware of pressure, temperature (eg, if something feels too hot or cold), and pain.
See more glossary terms
are the nerve cells that make you aware of pressure, heat, cold, or pain. So, when it comes to MMN, it helps to remember the expression "motor without sensory." That's because MMN usually only affects
motor neurons
Motor neurons
(how to say it: MOH-tuhr NUR-ahns)
Definition:
Nerve cells that connect to muscle tissue and control movement.
See more glossary terms
.
MMN and misdiagnosis
MMN can be difficult to diagnose. This is partly because MMN symptoms may get mistaken for more well-known conditions. For example, it may be mistaken for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also called Lou Gehrig's disease.
MMN vs other conditions that can look like MMN
A rare medical disorder in which nerves that control muscles are attacked by the body's immune system. See more glossary terms
- Muscle weakness in hands or feet
- Muscle cramping, twitching, or spasms
- Symptoms usually start in one hand or foot
- No sensory issues like numbness, tingling, or pain
- Blood tests report anti-GM1 antibodies
Asymmetric
progresses
A rare disease affecting motor neurons that gets worse over time and that can be life-threatening. See more glossary terms
- Weakness in hands, legs, feet, or ankles
- Muscle cramps and/or twitches
- Slurred speech or trouble swallowing
- Tripping, falling, and difficulty walking
- Changes in behavior
Asymmetric
progresses
A condition that occurs when the nerve that runs from the forearm into the palm of the hand becomes pressed or squeezed at the wrist. The dominant hand is usually affected first. See more glossary terms
- Numbness or tingling in fingers
- Sometimes pain in hand and wrist
- Fingers feel useless and swollen
Asymmetric
progresses
A disorder of the nerves that causes weakness and loss of function in the legs and arms. Its symptoms get worse over time. See more glossary terms
- Tingling, weakness, and loss of feeling in arms and legs
- Loss of reflexes
- Loss of balance and difficulty walking
Symmetric
progresses, and
MAY RELAPSE
Living with MMN
Narrator:You're about to hear from Jen, a real patient living with Multifocal Motor Neuropathy.
Remember, the following is only representative of Jen's experiences. Every patient's experiences are unique. The following should not be taken as medical advice, and you should speak with your doctor about any questions you have about your health or treatment.
Jen: The beach is my happy place. It is where I feel most normal. I just feel at peace. It brings calmness when you first see the ocean, and then when I put my feet in the sand, and the way I can walk again…It's just an amazing feeling.
I walk with a limp now, and I don't do that when I'm on the beach, because my heel is able to plant into the sand, and my foot curves.
Now that I look back, I think symptoms started before I even started recognizing them. But my first major symptom started about 2015. I started having really bad cramps in my right calf. After that, I noticed that I would be getting shocks from my right hip to my knee, and it just felt like you get electrocuted.
And then December of 2017, I was with my best friend, and I took off my shoe, and my toes—I couldn't move my toes.
I immediately went to a doctor the next day thinking that everything was going to be okay, and I found out it wasn't.
I saw numerous doctors. I saw chiropractors, specialists, two podiatrists, and then finally two neurologists.
When I saw my second neurologist, my world was turned upside down. He did a few tests on me and said, "You have Multifocal Motor Neuropathy."
He told me it was a very rare autoimmune disease—that there was no cure. There is only treatment to help slow the process.
I went out to the streets and I immediately started researching on the internet, and the first thing I came up with was ALS. And one of the first things it says is, you have two to five years to live after diagnosis; and I was terrified. Because I knew what ALS was, and I knew how hard it is, and I know how quickly it attacks your body. And, I said, "There's no way. There's no way this is me." And I went back up to my neurologist's office, and the first thing out of his mouth was, "You don't have ALS. And there are treatments that will help manage my symptoms."
This was a lot for me to take in. My life before MMN—I was fabulous. I would get dressed up, and I wore my high heels, and I would go out, and I would salsa dance—and I was very active. I was in the gym every single day, doing bootcamp classes.
I had to learn how to do things differently, how to put on shoes differently, how to walk differently. I now look at a pair of heels and I'm determined to get back to them.
KNOW
THAT MMN is manageable
Did you know there are treatment options that can help slow the progression of MMN in your body? If you are diagnosed with MMN, consider talking to your doctor about developing a management plan specifically for you and your needs.
LEARN ABOUTMANAGING MMN
up next