May I start of by saying how incredible you all are who support & give advice to each other even though you are all going through an extremely challengeable time. I pray that they find a cure sooner than later as ALS is such a devastating disease to have. May you all who have been diagnosed grow stronger mentally by the day.
My name is Faith and I am a 29yr old female from Australia. I was hesitant in joining this forum as I didn't want my anxiety levels to increase as I am quite vulnerable at the moment. I feel as though I had no choice given that my symptoms are swaying towards ALS.
It all began October 2011 when my balance felt a little all over the place, especially a weakness in my left leg. By July 2012 I developed an increase in salivation & felt wet on the corners of my mouth - I also felt that my speech start slurring even though others informed me that I sounded fine. September 2012 my left arm started feeling clumsy & I kept dropping things & couldn't grip properly. Was referred to a neuro in October 2012 - she stated that excess salivation could be from my reflux & that my neuro exam was unremarkable. Had an MRI brain - all normal.
I tried to get on with my life despite my symptoms however I started to notice other issues. My left arm shakes & gets easily tired after holding a kettle or anything where there is weight involved. It feels clumsy & I cant use it like I use to. This arm is much thinner than my right arm - and the neuro agrees. I have pain in my left leg, especially calf & feel exhausted & weak in the legs & arms after doing minor activities. My left calf is also thinner than my right...I believe I have atrophy.
Muscle twitching started Jan 2013 - in my left foot & left calf. Feels like a tickle & looks like worms when you look at it. I also walk a little funny now, feel as though I need to lift my left leg up more when I walk. I seeked a 2nd opinion 2wks ago as advised by my referring doctor. This neuro is a neurophysiologist who also has diagnosed people with ALS. Who told me he can see the muscle twitching & does agree that my left side is a little thinner than my right dominant side. He peformed an EMG & NCS which was negative.
He ordered a heap of bloods & an MRI of my lumbar. So far he states that due to my EMG being normal he doesn't think it's ALS. He thinks I may have neuromyotonia which can show symptoms like ALS.
I'm not asking for a diagnosis on-line but just some advise as to what you think. This has put a stop on my life as these symptoms are terrifying me. I think if I didn't have the atrophy I would be more at peace however that's not the case. Watching my body deteriorate like this is scary. I'm suppose to be getting engaged soon but I'm not sure that's going to happen if my prognoses isn't good.
Your thoughts & advise would be much appreciated.
Thank you.
My name is Faith and I am a 29yr old female from Australia. I was hesitant in joining this forum as I didn't want my anxiety levels to increase as I am quite vulnerable at the moment. I feel as though I had no choice given that my symptoms are swaying towards ALS.
It all began October 2011 when my balance felt a little all over the place, especially a weakness in my left leg. By July 2012 I developed an increase in salivation & felt wet on the corners of my mouth - I also felt that my speech start slurring even though others informed me that I sounded fine. September 2012 my left arm started feeling clumsy & I kept dropping things & couldn't grip properly. Was referred to a neuro in October 2012 - she stated that excess salivation could be from my reflux & that my neuro exam was unremarkable. Had an MRI brain - all normal.
I tried to get on with my life despite my symptoms however I started to notice other issues. My left arm shakes & gets easily tired after holding a kettle or anything where there is weight involved. It feels clumsy & I cant use it like I use to. This arm is much thinner than my right arm - and the neuro agrees. I have pain in my left leg, especially calf & feel exhausted & weak in the legs & arms after doing minor activities. My left calf is also thinner than my right...I believe I have atrophy.
Muscle twitching started Jan 2013 - in my left foot & left calf. Feels like a tickle & looks like worms when you look at it. I also walk a little funny now, feel as though I need to lift my left leg up more when I walk. I seeked a 2nd opinion 2wks ago as advised by my referring doctor. This neuro is a neurophysiologist who also has diagnosed people with ALS. Who told me he can see the muscle twitching & does agree that my left side is a little thinner than my right dominant side. He peformed an EMG & NCS which was negative.
He ordered a heap of bloods & an MRI of my lumbar. So far he states that due to my EMG being normal he doesn't think it's ALS. He thinks I may have neuromyotonia which can show symptoms like ALS.
I'm not asking for a diagnosis on-line but just some advise as to what you think. This has put a stop on my life as these symptoms are terrifying me. I think if I didn't have the atrophy I would be more at peace however that's not the case. Watching my body deteriorate like this is scary. I'm suppose to be getting engaged soon but I'm not sure that's going to happen if my prognoses isn't good.
Your thoughts & advise would be much appreciated.
Thank you.