What is Friedreich's ataxia?
Friedreich's ataxia is a rare inherited disease that causes nervous system damage and movement problems. It usually begins in childhood and leads to impaired muscle coordination (ataxia) that worsens over time. It is caused by a mutation (defect) in a gene labeled FXN (frataxin).
How do members experience Friedreich's ataxia?
Top 5 symptoms reported by people with Friedreich's ataxia*
Common symptoms
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
Common symptom
Falling at home due to weakness in legs
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
Nothing reported yet
Common symptom
Muscle weakness
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
Nothing reported yet
Common symptom
Stress
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
Nothing reported yet
Common symptom
Fatigue
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
Nothing reported yet
*Reports may be affected by other conditions and/or medication side effects. We ask about general symptoms (anxious mood, depressed mood, fatigue, pain, and stress) regardless of condition.
Top treatments taken by people for Friedreich's ataxia*
Who has Friedreich's ataxia on PatientsLikeMe?
Age | Proportion | # of patients |
---|---|---|
<20 | 0 | |
20s | 14 | |
30s | 31 | |
40s | 23 | |
50s | 22 | |
60s | 17 | |
70+ | 8 |
Distribution of sex
Sex | Proportion | # of patients |
---|---|---|
Male | 36 | |
Female | 74 |