Blubear
Senior member
- Joined
- Oct 24, 2009
- Messages
- 941
- Reason
- Lost a loved one
- Diagnosis
- 09/2009
- Country
- US
- State
- Wa.
- City
- Puyallup
My father was diagnosed with ALS a month ago. He was having facial droop, slurred speach at times, and when he went for his walks every morning he could no longer walk up hill without walking backwards. He was also recently diagnosed with severe sleep apnea. He is 69 and until these past 6 months has been in excellent health. He had an EMG prior to his diagnosed and that is what led them to ALS. He recently has tested normal for metals, and normal for his IGM. He does however have a cyst on his kidney that is inflamed and urine is backing up into his kidneys. I know that the kidneys have nothing to do with ALS, but the other tests being normal (well not the emg) makes me hopeful that maybe this is something else? Have any of you tested normal for the metals and had a normal IGM test? Within the past week his hands have shown signs of weakness as well. He and my mother are happy with their neurologist, and dont think its time yet to go to the ALS clinic in Seattle. Is it too soon? Should he have his levels of proteins tested to be sure of ALS?
I am so scared this may be something else and we are not addressing it. Of course I am in the denial stage. Please help me!
I am so scared this may be something else and we are not addressing it. Of course I am in the denial stage. Please help me!