Mum's numb arm following COVID-19 jab diagnosed as motor neurone disease
Anna Barrow was diagnosed at the age of 38 - despite the condition usually affecting those in their 60s or 70s.
A mum has been diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND) after her symptoms were originally believed to have been caused by a COVID-19 vaccine.
Anna Barrow, 38, from Eccles, Greater Manchester was told she had MND in May this year after she started experiencing a loss of sensation in her arm.
The mum-of-three first first noticed the symptom in March 2021 but doctors believed it could have been caused by nerve damage from having her jab too high up in her arm.
It was hoped she should see an improvement in the next 18 months but her symptoms progressively got worse and the loss of sensation spread across her body.
She was urgently referred to a neurology department but while waiting for an appointment Anna realised she was struggling to breathe and swallow during a work meeting, which prompted her to go to A&E.
After a two week hospital stay and numerous tests, she was diagnosed with MND.
"It was really difficult," Anna recalls of the moment. "They had kept me in hospital and were doing loads of tests so we knew it was potentially not going to be good news. I knew it [MND] was a possibility but with my age and being female, I just didn't think it would be that."
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Anna has been with husband Martyn, 39, since she was 16 and they have three daughters - Tilly, 18, Eve, 15 and Fallon, 13.
The couple say the hardest thing was telling their children.
"We realised it was pretty serious when the doctors said to Anna that she needed to let them know when I arrived," Martyn, a charity worker, explains. "They literally told us and it was heartbreaking - there were a lot of tears and they kept going and coming back.
"The first thing we thought about was the kids and we decided to rip the plaster off when we came home.
"We know it's here now and it's something that we've got to cope with every day," he continues. "We said we would deal with it how we always deal with stuff - with humour and positivity."
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Although the condition can affect anyone of any age, it predominately affects people in their 60s or their 70s. Which is why Anna said that sometimes people are shocked when they find out she was diagnosed at just 38.
"We believe only 5,000 people in the UK have it and I've been told I'm the youngest female with it in the area," Anna says. "We went to a MND association branch meeting and we were sat on a table with a family whose uncle had just been recently diagnosed.
"Then people were asking who in my family had been affected and I had to say it was me.
"At my first hospital consultation, one of the nurses came out and was wandering around the waiting room looking for me.
"She was clearly looking for an older person."
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As there is currently no cure for MND, Anna is trying to embrace her life the best she can, so the family are planning to take their children to Disney.
"It doesn't get better as it's progressive," Martyn explains. "There's different challenges so you have to just move forward with it.
"The doctor has told Anna to go and live her life and make memories. We've got a holiday planned for August for a week and we're trying to plan to take the girls to Disney. It's something that Anna has always wanted to do with the kids."
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What is motor neurone disease?
The NHS says MND is a condition that affects the brain and nerves, causing weakness that gets worse over time.
It's caused by a problem with cells in the brain and nerves called motor neurones.
These cells gradually stop working over time, but it is unclear why this happens.
Some people live with the condition for many years, but MND can significantly shorten life expectancy and, unfortunately, eventually leads to death.
While the condition is uncommon and mainly affects people in their 60s and 70s, it can affect adults of all ages.
Symptoms of MND
Weakness in your ankle or leg
Slurred speech, which may develop into difficulty swallowing some foods
A weak grip
Muscle cramps and twitches
Weight loss
Difficulty stopping yourself from crying or laughing in inappropriate situations
Treatment for MND
Occupational therapy to help make everyday tasks easier
Physiotherapy and exercises to maintain strength and reduce stiffness
Speech and language therapy
Guidance from a dietitian about diet and eating
Medicine, riluzole, which can slightly slow down the progression of the condition
Medicines to relieve muscle stiffness and help with saliva problems
To find out more and donate to a Go Fund Me to support Anna and her family click here
Additional reporting SWNS.
