DOCUMENT

Early symptoms of CMT in children include: • clumsiness • walking difficulty • foot drop • difficulty lifting their feet up from the ground. Common symptoms of CMT include: • high-arched feet (also called pes cavus) • flat feet • hammertoes or curled toes (middle joint of the toe bends upwards) • muscle weakness in the lower legs (feet, ankles and legs) at first • muscle wasting in the lower legs leading to an‘inverted champagne bottle’ appearance • foot drop causing them to lift their knees higher to walk to avoid trips (also called high stepping gait) • walking difficulty • loss of sensation in arms and feet • cold hands and feet • muscle and joint pain • tiredness and fatigue. As symptoms get worse, it starts to affect your hands and arms more. It then causes problems with daily activities such as buttoning your shirt. Sometimes, damaged nerves can also cause shooting or burning nerve pain, which is also known as neuropathic pain. Medications There is a list of medications that are potentially toxic to people with CMT. This list is available on the MDANZ website. CHARCOT-MARIE-TOOTH DISEASE Pneumonia Vaccine Funding It is important our members stay well, particularly through the winter months. It is recommended that individuals with neuromuscular conditions receive vaccination for prevention of pneumococcal such as pneumonia. This is due to increased risk of not only becoming unwell but also the increased risk of complications if there is an inability to cough and clear the airways effectively. Pneumococcal vaccines are fully funded for children under 5 however government funding is not generally available for older children and adults. For this reason, you may not be eligible to receive a funded vaccine through your local general practice (GP). Because cost is a barrier to having the vaccine, MDANZ has a reimbursement programme available to members who have a neuromuscular condition. MDANZ will reimburse you the cost of receiving the Pneuomvax 23 vaccine at your local GP. Simply go online to complete the reimbursement form with your details, attach your receipt and you will be reimbursed within five working days. www.mda.org.nz/What-We-Offer/ Pneumonia-Vaccine-Funding