Also known as:

SMS
Moersch-Woltman

Stiff person syndrome (SPS) is a rare neurological disorder with features of an autoimmune disease.  SPS is characterized by fluctuating muscle rigidity in the trunk and limbs and a heightened sensitivity to stimuli such as noise, touch, and emotional distress, which can set off muscle spasms.  Abnormal postures, often hunched over and stiffened, are characteristic of the disorder.  People with SPS can be too disabled to walk or move, or they are afraid to leave the house because street noises, such as the sound of a horn, can trigger spasms and falls.  SPS affects twice as many women as men.   It is frequently associated with other autoimmune diseases such as diabetes, thyroiditis, vitiligo, and pernicious anemia.  Scientists don’t yet understand what causes SPS, but research indicates that it is the result of an autoimmune response gone awry in the brain and spinal cord.  
 

NINDS Stiff-Person Syndrome Information Page

     I was diagnosed with Stiff Person (Stiffman) Syndrome in 1994.  I created this website to share information and my journey with this disorder.  My hope is to enlighten and encourage anyone who walks this path with me.  May you find answers along with the whisper of hope. 

     This website is not affiliated with any charity nor endorses any medical facility, physician, or treatment for Stiff Person Syndrome.  The information and experiences shared in this website are not intended to be a substitute for professional diagnostic evaluation.

It is difficult to say what is impossible, for the dream of yesterday is the hope of today and the reality of tomorrow.

~ Robert H. Goddard ~

"Hope" is the thing with feathers –
That perches in the soul –
And sings the tune without the words –
And never stops – at all –

~ Emily Dickinson ~