Stiff Person Syndrome Signs and Symptoms

Stiff Person Syndrome is a rare neurological autoimmune disorder characterized by progressive muscle stiffness, mainly in the spine and legs. It can be triggered by emotional stress, and many patients have concurrent autoimmune disorders. Stiff person syndrome is very rare, occurring is approximately one in a million people. Symptoms typically begin in the forties, and the disease is more prevalent in women than men. We have listed the common signs and symptoms of stiff person syndrome below.

Also, we have information on diagnosis, helpful books and valuable resources for patients.

The Signs and Symptoms of Stiff Person Syndrome are as follows:

Progressive stiffness, primarily in the lower spine and legs
Progressive rigidity
Painful spasms in the legs and spine
Painful spasms in the neck, abdomen, arms and face
Muscle spasms that occur when the person is emotionally stimulated, such as through fear, anger, surprise or sadness
Exaggerated upright posture
Sleep disorders
Depression

Diagnosis of Stiff Person Syndrome

When diagnosing stiff person syndrome, it is important to rule out similar disorders such as Parkinson’s disease, dystonia and transverse myelitis.

Tests for stiff person syndrome include testing with an EMG needle, and GAD (glutamic acid decarboxylase) antibody tests. If GAD levels are extremely high, it helps to confirm the diagnosis of stiff person syndrome. GAD antibodies are most commonly associated with diabetes. About fifty percent of patients with stiff person syndrome have diabetes, or will go on to develop diabetes. Other autoimmune conditions that are associated with stiff person syndrome are thyroid disease and vitiligo.

Books for People With Signs and Symptoms of Stiff Person Syndrome

The Official Patient’s Sourcebook on Stiff-Person Syndrome: A Revised and Updated Directory for the Internet Age Icon Health Publications	Stiff Person Syndrome Lambert M. Surhone


Stiff person syndrome: An entry from Thomson Gale’s Gale Encyclopedia of Neurological Disorders Bruno Azevedo	Rare disease may offer clues to MS. (Moersch-Woltman syndrome): An article from: Inside MS Phyllis Shaw

Stiff Person Syndrome Resources

General Patient Resources

Stiff Person Syndrome

Stiff Person Syndrome study results of 33 patients.

http://www.stiffpersonsyndrome.net/

Living With Stiff Person Syndrome

I was diagnosed in 1994. Informative links, my story, personal journal.

http://stiffman.org/

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

Stiff-person (stiff-man syndrome) information sheet compiled by NINDS.

http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/stiffperson/stiffperson.htm

Stiff Person Syndrome information including symptoms, diagnosis, misdiagnosis, treatment, causes, patient stories, videos, forums, prevention, and prognosis.

http://www.wrongdiagnosis.com/s/stiff_person_syndrome/intro.htm

Experience Project

A Stiff-person Syndrome anonymous support group with information on diagnosis, treatment, symptoms, along with personal stories and experiences with Stiff-person Syndrome. You’re not alone.

http://www.experienceproject.com/groups/Have-Stiff-person-Syndrome/91870

Medical Resources

Johns Hopkins Medicine

Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery explains SPS.

http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/neurology_neurosurgery/conditions_main/old/stiff_person_syndrome.html

Medscape Reference

An article written for health care practitioners by medical professionals.

http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1172135-overview

Cleveland Clinic

Information on Stiff Person Syndrome.

http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1172135-overview