Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia.

Hi All, I hope that everyone is doing as well as possible under the circumstances. My partner was diagnosed with PPMS in January 2019. In February 2020 he received a letter, after a neurologist’s appointment saying that he was also being investigated for Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia. The tests haven’t happened due to COVID-19 but I wondered if anyone else has been in this situation at all.

Thanks for your help.

Hello anon.

The symptoms are similar to MS so it doesn’t surprise me. It might lead to some confusion of diagnosis.

Best wishes.

Thanks Steve.

Ah…now then!

22 years ago I began falling…I saw many neuros…had lots of tests…PPMS was suspected but not diagnosed…in 2003 I begged for a diagnosis. I was told it was probably PPMS…so I lived with that and progressed into immobility rapidly.

In 2011 a new neuro said I didnt have MS, but HSP…hereditary spastic parapresis. I asked why the new diagnosis. I was told I wasnt ill enough for PPMS!!!

I accepted that category and did my research… I was horrified to find it had a 50% chance of being passed to my children and grandchildren. I felt horrid and worried so much about that.

A couple of years later, I had genetic testing…negative…not HSP…although they could test forever…

I now had no diagnosis.

Last year I had the opportunity to see a neuro at The Walton Centre in Liverpool. I went in the hospital for a week of tests.

Result…Spinal PPMS…definite!

Has your partner got any family with similar symptoms? I`m intrigued.

Boudica xxx

Why has the neuro decided to test for HSP?

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Hi there, my husband was diagnosed with HSP, although I’m a little sceptical about it. His mother was also diagnosed with HSP by a neurologist 10+ years ago. Neither has had a genetics test and we’re struggling to find a HSP specialist in Australia. Did anyone get a diagnostic test for MS to rule it out? We’ve been told to keep up the exercise, and take magnesium for the muscle spasms. Is there anything else people are doing that has improved their condition?

Hello, I have a close friend in Leeds (Yorkshire) who has HSP. She has a very good team at Leeds hospitals. Would you like me to put you in touch with her? You could email each other perhaps.

Boudsx