Hi ANnieB3
Actually, Neuralgic Amyotrophy can impact about any of the plexus sites from cervical to lumbosacral, so it can impact lower cranial nerves, phrenic nerves, and down into the legs and everything in-between. Most websites concentrate on the arms because it is the area that symptoms are most easily seen- that may be due to the complexity of the shoulder and the more obvious difficulty of the shoulder and arms to function with missing nerves and muscles.

I have pretty much a textbook set of symptoms for NA and even with that, the doctors missed it originally and though I had muscular dystrophy. It started with pain in shoulders and was followed some time later with the loss of function of first my right hand and then my right scapula. Now on closer exam, doctors see that my left hand and scapula are also involved to a lesser extent as far as the severity of the apparent symptoms. I started noticing weakness elsewhere at the same time. They think of this as only attacking the brachial plexus. I figure that whatever attacked there could also attack other spots either at the same time or that I would notice it later. The literature is not really there to say just how involved a single attack can get, or if the weakness is as weird as my weakness has been. They say lingering weakness is possible, but do not say that after recovery of strength that it will go away again and cycle numerous times as I have experienced.

As far as genetic testing goes; there are two types of NA. One can be brought about by any one of a list of causes and usually is seen in the shoulders only and does not repeat. And then there is the genetic variety. The genetic variety is more prone to attack repeatedly (as mine does) than the other. Also, the genetic type is more likely to attack in other plexus areas. There are other reasons to suggest my case is of the genetic type, but so far no one has suggested testing. Why? The test is not cheap for one thing. It is not as simple as doing a blood test. Also, they say that whether my case is genetic or not would not change my treatment or prognoses.

My eyes going bad at the same time this happened may be a symptom of other stuff, but it is an odd coincidence at least. My double vision is in both eyes. If I close one, the other stays double. I guess that would not fit MG. I was not aware of the differences in MG.

Thanks for reply-