Dear Medical Professional please read prior to treating Vicky.

Vicky has Late Onset Pompe Disease.

Vicky’s next of kin is Geraint Baker.

Glycogen Storage Disease (type 2)
Pompe Disease

Late Onset Pompe Disease (LOPD)

Glycogen Storage Disease (Type 2)

Late Onset Pompe Disease, LOPD, is a rare metabolic, muscle wasting condition that causes extreme muscle weakness and wastage.

The simple steps will make life easier for the person you are treating and could save their life.

  • IMPORTANT
    • Do not lay flat or recline too far as this may affect their ability to breathe.
    • Do not give hi-flow oxygen without speaking with a respiratory consultant.

Vicky uses a wheelchair or sticks and will need assistance rising from a bed, a seat or the floor.

Vickys has Enzyme Replacement Therapy (ERT)

The symptoms of Late Onset Pompe Disease (LOPD) are listed below.

People with LOPD may have some or all of the symptoms below.

Head and Shoulders

  • Muscle weakness in eyes
  • Dropped eye lids
  • Morning headaches
  • Sleep apnoea
  • Uses a BiPAP to breathe
  • Difficulty swallowing
  • Difficulty clearing airway after eating
  • Weak cough
  • Difficulty clearing throat
  • Speaking voice changed, volume, texture
  • Impaired alertness

Arms and hands

  • Weak grip
  • Struggling to hold items
  • Arms feeling heavy
  • Difficulty lifting arms above shoulders

Body/Torso

  • Protruding stomach
  • Bowel issues
  • Bladder frequency/leakage
  • Respiratory insufficiency/failure
  • Muscle weakness in mid section
  • Difficulty bending and straightening
  • Continence Issues

Hips and Legs

  • Difficulty getting up from a seated position
  • Difficulty bending and straightening Difficulty climbing stairs
  • Weaker front thigh muscles Unsteady when standing for longer periods
  • Waddling gait
  • Unable to stand alone
  • Muscle cramps
  • Struggling to walk
  • Thicker calf muscles
  • Tightness in calf muscles
  • Pain when standing for short/long periods
  • Unsteadiness when turning round
  • Difficulty lifting foot
  • Dropped foot, sometimes feels heavy/sags

Some users are reliant on a wheelchair or walking aid

General Well Being

  • Feeling tired
  • Temperature regulation – feeling hot/cold
  • Tremors – feeling shaky
  • Limbs feeling heavy
  • Feeling totally exhausted
  • Mental health – depression/anxiety

Test Results (may show anomalies in the following)

  • Low oxygen levels
  • Raised CO2 levels
  • Raised Creatine kinase (CK) levels

Please be aware that the person may be on Enzyme Replacement Therapy (ERT).

Addition Support and Therapies

This person will also have a metabolic consultant that should be consulted prior to treatment and/or therapies.

  • Enzyme Replacement Therapy
  • Dietitian  – High protein, low carb, low sugar
  • Physiotherapist – 70% sub maximal
  • Counselling – Mental Health
  • Respiratory Consultant 

Knowledge Shares – Late Onset Pompe Disease Symptoms

The following Late Onset Pompe Disease sheet is a downloadable PDF. to download by using the DOWNLOAD button underneath the knowledge share.