Muscular Dystrophy and MS are different medical conditions, so why the confusion?

Currently I am entering my 24th year of living with Becker’s Muscular Dystrophy, and yes over those years I have faced many challenges and frustrations. One of the issues I have faced through out the years is constantly needing to correct those who think I have MS when I don’t. What I have is called Muscular Dystrophy, and over the years when ever people would asked me about my condition I would tell them I have MD. Sadly though for some reason most people always thought I was saying MS, this happened so much over the years that at one point I actually stopped correcting people. But recently after reading some comments on various facebook pages I found out that other people with Muscular Dystrophy are facing this very same issue.

Early today after talking to a friend of mine they brought up a very good point about this situation, they said that a lot of people now believe that the confusion might be resulting from the use of the initials MD. Many now believe that a lot of the confusion would come to an end if we simply just tell people that we have Muscular Dystrophy. To me this is a great idea, so from here on out I will no longer be using the initials MD to describe what I have.

People need to start understanding the facts that Muscular Dystrophy and MS are two different medical conditions. And for those who don't know the differences between the two I'd like to take the time to explain them. First let's talk about MS, according to the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada, MS is a disease that is unpredictable, and it affects vision, hearing, memory, balance and mobility.

Now, when it comes to Muscular Dystrophy the issues we face that are very different from those living with Multiple Sclerosis. So what is Muscular Dystrophy? Well according to Muscular Dystrophy Canada it is a condition that comes in many forms such as Duchenne, Becker’s, and Limb Girdle just to name a few. The affects of Muscular Dystrophy range from Joint and Muscle Pain, Leg and Foot Swelling, Muscle Cramping, Changes to Posture, Difficulty Walking, Difficulty Gripping and Holding, Fatigue and can even lead to issue’s with Breathing.

Now when it comes to Becker’s Muscular Dystrophy people with this disorder typically experience progressive muscle weakness of the leg and pelvis muscles, which is associated with a loss of muscle mass. Muscle weakness also occurs in the arms, neck, and other areas, as well as in the lower half of the body. It must be known that Becker's Muscular Dystrophy gets progressively worse and it’s tough to say but over time some of us will eventually end up using a cane or wheelchair. But the truth is most of us with Becker’s are fully capable of living life like any other person, and that includes enjoying a nearly normal lifespan. Sadly though when it comes to other forms of Muscular Dystrophy for some the outlook is very different. That is why I ask everyone to please take the time to learn more about Muscular Dystrophy and also please help and support organizations such as Muscular Dystrophy Canada and other organization around the world who support and fund research into finding a cure for all forms of Muscular Dystrophy.

Eventually I hope that one day when we tell people we have Muscular Dystrophy that they fully understand exactly what it is.

For more info about Muscular Dystrophy go to: