My Step Daughter is a 37 year old mum with two small children who, until last year, lead a very active life including regular exercise, running, dog walking and usual hectic requirements of chasing around after the children.  All of this has now changed!

In 2014 she was diagnosed with Lymphangioleomyomastosis (LAM) a rare lung disease that occurs almost exclusively in women. For every million women approximately 7 will have LAM. We are aware of approximately 200 women in the United Kingdom who have LAM and around 10 new cases are diagnosed each year. It appears to occur worldwide and to be equally rare in other countries.

LAM predominantly affects the lungs, where it causes excessive growth of smooth muscle cells which progressively destroy lung tissue and erode lung function. Although research is ongoing, currently there is no cure for LAM and effective treatment is limited. For some women with LAM lung transplantation is their only means of survival. 

Due to the condition even such simple tasks as taking a vacuum cleaner upstairs is an effort; for which she subsequently needs to rest.  She also requires significantly more sleep than a healthy person which, again, detracts from normal family life.

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