Does anyone out there have anger issues,not violent outbursts, just very moody and short tempered? i have been dealing with this condition for the last 15 years and although feel normal in my head,have been told numerous times i do have bad mood swings. I am due for another mri soon,hopefully not too much has changed in my brain and spinal cord other than the obvious with walking. shane

Yes, I get the same thing. Most doctors just think I am depressed - I am not. I have had MRIs, and know that they show damage in my brain, but no-one will tell me what this is, and what it could mean. Eventually, I am going to see a neuro-psychologist for a work down, and I am pushing to see a neurological expert to get more info on my MRI and what it means. I hope others do not have to fight as hard as I have had to to get anywhere. In the meantime my partner is seriously fed up with me and my moods, and if it continues it could well split us up. I know my brother had the same thing happen with him, and again the medical profession gave him no help.

My son and I also have these issues. Our doctor is leading the way in research of AMN at Boston General explained to us that between the chemical imbalance and the breakdown in signials with the nerves, this is to be expected. Anti depressents have helped me but my son doesnt want to add more drugs to his day.

yes, we all have mood swings. maybe it is a chemical imbalance. maybe it's just bitterness about being so different and handicapped. i take anti-depressants: zoloft, then pristiq (new one). they help indeed, but from time to time I get moody. I think it's maybe a mix between this disease and just general moodiness. either way, my better half keeps me in line, whether or not she is happy about it. like we've said long ago, and which should be the mantra of this forum: "a good woman eases many troubles." do whatever you can to keep her love.

same thing here... I just try and focus that anger into work (and try as much as I can not to bring it home - bt some times it happens)

I find I often get angry for very minor reasons, I always have, chemical imbalance possibly, but I think it's hard to say its because of my illness, I know a lot of friends who are the same and are just naturally angry people.

I have very similar emotion problems, but because I am a female with AMN, I am not sure if it has anything to do with the disease.

I am short tempered and angry too. How else can you feel when your hormones are all screwed up. AMN will do that to you. Can you believe it, I just retired from five years of driving a school bus. I carried 40-50 screaming kids every day. My temper was tested to the max. I used to have a high level of tolerance. No more. I am on anti-depressants, and I do believe they help somewhat. I also have Addison's disease, which means I don't do well in stressful situations. Well, I'll now find something to do more rewarding, and less stressful. Best of luck to you all.

Late to this conversation too...but yes! I am a woman carrier, but this has been a BIG issue for me. I am hoping to start fish oil again because I swear it has helped me in the past with mood swings (long before I was diagnosed with AMN). Possibly a correlation? Maybe something that can help others?

My wife said I wasn't loving enough when I was younger. I should let her read these posts. Don't get upset about things that are not your fault. Take this one day at a time. Researchers worldwide are looking for a cure. Prayer helps.

my boyfriend has the same problems. I have been told that the disease create a lower level of production of cortisone and this causes a lower resistence to stress.

One of the comments here refers to a doctor doing research at Boston General. If anybody has more information on this that would be awesome. I live in Oregon & have yet to find a doctor that has ever had a patient with AMN. I get frustrated with most issues that have to do with this disease. I think that that's normal, & hopefully our families can get behind us and try to alleviate some of it. I'm looking into genetic counseling for myself, my mom and my girlfriend. I don't know where this disease will take me but it's definitely not going away for now. Good thoughts to all.

My endocrinologist had been treating Addisonians and Diabetics for over 30 years but had never heard of this condition. He was learning all over again. Whenever he had a patient with Addisons and highly pigmented skin, he learned that giving a simple blood test could confirm patient with adreno-myelo-neuropathy. Late diagnosis and bother passed at age 67. Would love to fly into Boston or anywhere else to help them bring better news to people carrying this gene. Good luck to all.