Do I Have Muscular Dystrophy Quiz
Questions: 15 · 10 minutes
1. What have you noticed about holding your head upright or keeping your trunk steady while sitting?
I have noticed no unexplained difficulty with either.
I occasionally feel unusually fatigued but recover after resting.
I repeatedly need to change position or use support because my neck or trunk feels weak.
I struggle to hold my head or body upright even with ordinary support.
2. How has carrying an ordinary object, such as a grocery bag or full kettle, changed for you?
I have not noticed an unexplained change in my ability to carry it.
It occasionally feels heavier or more tiring than I would expect.
I regularly switch hands, use both hands, or set it down because of weakness.
I drop ordinary objects or cannot safely lift something I previously managed.
3. What heart-related symptoms have you experienced?
No new episodes of racing, pounding, or irregular heartbeat, chest pain, or fainting.
An occasional brief flutter or pounding sensation that settles quickly.
Repeated racing, pounding, or irregular heartbeat episodes without fainting.
Chest pain, fainting, or heart symptoms accompanied by severe breathlessness or weakness.
4. When placing something on a high shelf or washing your hair, what happens to your arms?
I can keep my arms raised without a new or unusual problem.
My arms sometimes tire sooner than they used to, but I complete the task.
I often need pauses, support, or help to finish overhead tasks.
I can no longer raise or hold one or both arms well enough for the task.
5. When climbing a familiar flight of stairs, which experience is closest to yours?
I climb it without a new or unexplained limitation.
I sometimes move more slowly or feel more tired than before.
I regularly pull on the railing, pause, or lead with the same leg because of weakness.
I can no longer climb the stairs safely without another person's help.
6. During tasks such as turning a key, opening a container, or fastening clothing, which description fits best?
My hand function has not changed in a persistent way.
One of these tasks is occasionally harder, although I can still do it.
Several fine-motor or gripping tasks repeatedly require extra time or assistance.
New hand weakness prevents me from completing basic tasks or causes frequent dropping.
7. Has anyone, including you, noticed a persistent change in your walking pattern?
No persistent change has been noticed.
My gait occasionally feels different when I am tired.
I repeatedly walk on my toes, waddle, drag a foot, or compensate in another noticeable way.
The change is pronounced enough that I need support or cannot walk my usual distance.
8. In the past six months, what pattern of stumbling or falling have you experienced without a clear environmental cause?
No new pattern of unexplained stumbling or falling.
An isolated stumble that did not recur or cause injury.
Repeated stumbles, near-falls, or falls that have changed how I move.
Frequent falls, a serious fall injury, or falls that make walking unsafe.
9. What happens when you eat or drink?
I swallow without a new or recurring problem.
I occasionally need extra time or a sip of water to swallow comfortably.
I repeatedly cough, choke, or feel food or liquid sticking when I swallow.
I have severe choking, cannot swallow saliva, or struggle to breathe during swallowing.
10. On waking or during the day, have you experienced new headaches, unusual sleepiness, or confusion?
I have not experienced a new recurring pattern of these symptoms.
I occasionally wake with a headache or feel unusually sleepy during the day.
Morning headaches or daytime sleepiness happen repeatedly and interfere with activities.
I have been difficult to wake, confused, or severely drowsy, especially with breathing difficulty.
11. How has your breathing changed during activity, while resting, or when lying flat?
I have noticed no unexplained change in my breathing.
I become winded slightly sooner than before during strenuous activity.
Ordinary activity or lying flat repeatedly makes me unusually short of breath.
I have severe breathlessness at rest, blue or gray lips, or difficulty speaking full sentences.
12. Over recent months, how has any unexplained muscle weakness behaved?
I have not experienced unexplained muscle weakness.
I noticed a brief episode that resolved and has not returned.
Weakness has recurred or remained present in the same area.
Weakness has steadily worsened, spread, or caused a major loss of function.
13. After sitting on the floor, how do you usually get back up?
I stand without a new need for support.
I occasionally use a hand or nearby object, mainly when tired.
I regularly push on my thighs, furniture, or the floor to work my way upright.
I cannot rise from the floor without substantial help or have stopped trying because it is unsafe.
14. Which best describes your cough and ability to clear mucus during a cold or chest infection?
I have noticed no unusual reduction in cough strength or mucus clearance.
My cough occasionally feels less forceful than it used to.
I repeatedly struggle to clear mucus or have had recurring chest infections.
I have been unable to clear my airway or have struggled to breathe because of secretions.
15. Compared with your previous ability, what happens when you try to run, hop, or jump?
There has been no unexplained change in these movements.
I sometimes feel less coordinated or tire sooner, but can still do them.
I repeatedly avoid or cannot complete one or more of these movements because of weakness.
I have lost these abilities or attempting them now leads to falls.