13 WTHR - Indianapolis News |Woman fights rare neurological disorder

Woman fights rare neurological disorder

One woman is fighting back against an almost paralyzing illness: Stiff Person Syndrome. It's like this: you go to bed with a bad headache and wake up unable to talk or hardly move at all. That's what happened to a woman from New Jersey.

Takisha Sease, 26, is the perfect daughter, says her mother Marlyn. Former homecoming queen, prom beauty, caring friend and devoted mother to three-year-old Noell. But it is Marlyn playing the role of devoted mother now, because the daughter she loves so deeply is ill. Takisha has what's called stiff persons syndrome, a rare neurological disorder causing extreme muscle rigidity and spasms and a heightened sensitivity to noise.

"Sometimes just becoming anxious because something around you makes you nervous can trigger these spasms," said Dr. Josep Dalmau, neurologist.

Researchers don't know what causes the condition but they do know the auto immune disease is more common in women and African Americans. Treatments can help, but for Takisha even a tender touch can send her into spasms and heightened emotions.

"And my son, I can't even hold him," she said.

Her little boy tries to understand, to kiss her, to comfort her. Even though the Seases need money for Takisha's care, her mother says what she needs most is friendship and understanding.

"It is like everybody dropped off the face of the world," said Marlyn.

Takisha hopes the attention will lead to a cure. Her goal is a humble one. "I can walk one day and take my son to games and stuff," she said.

IV treatments, anti-anxiety drugs, muscle relaxants, and pain relievers all improve the symptoms of SPS, but will not cure the disorder. Research is being done to try and figure out what causes the disorder, which will hopefully lead to better treatments.

Stiff Person Syndrome