New to the forum, although I have searched the threads for a few weeks. Would like any and everyone's thoughts. I am 48, male, and lifted weights regularly since I was 18. My first neurological symptoms were nine years ago - sudden onset of twitches in legs, numbness on left side of face and down left arm, "hollow" feelings in hands and legs (very strange), other paresthesias. Was seen at the regional ALS clinic which did an EMG and spinal tap, which were both normal. Also had an MRI of my brain which was normal. ALS clinic thought I had BFS. After one year I returned to lifting (did not workout while this was going on) and worked out until July 8, about two months ago. Put on 30 pounds of muscle, got strong, felt fantastic for eight years.
After several months of intense workouts, I had another sudden return of problems on July 8 which continue. Things began with several seconds of a strong tingling in my head. Sounds weird, but that is what happened. After that, I had the hollow feeling in hands again which has become progressive bilateral hand atrophy and weakness, twitches all over, fatigue, brain fog, a few spells of vertigo, legs that get tired after walking for about 30 minutes, tingling in various areas (strong sensation in upper arms at times) including inside mouth, pins and needles in feet. No footdrop. Hands are slowly wasting away. I have had blood work done by GP which was normal for all that was tested. CK level fine, lyme negative, thyroid normal, no RA, etc. Was seen by a local neuro and passed the clinical exam ( my grip is OK) and the EMG he did on my arms and legs came back normal - no fascics, no fibs, no psw, etc. Babinski was normal on right foot, but I pulled away on left foot. He didn't know what to say about my hands. Given the EMG and clinical exam result he told me I did not have ALS. Given my symptoms I couldn't believe the EMG was completely normal. So, I am going to the regional ALS clinic (KU) that I went to originally nine years ago. Need a second opinion. Waiting for the appointment day and time. Any thoughts on my experiences and symptoms would be appreciated. And God bless all of you.
After several months of intense workouts, I had another sudden return of problems on July 8 which continue. Things began with several seconds of a strong tingling in my head. Sounds weird, but that is what happened. After that, I had the hollow feeling in hands again which has become progressive bilateral hand atrophy and weakness, twitches all over, fatigue, brain fog, a few spells of vertigo, legs that get tired after walking for about 30 minutes, tingling in various areas (strong sensation in upper arms at times) including inside mouth, pins and needles in feet. No footdrop. Hands are slowly wasting away. I have had blood work done by GP which was normal for all that was tested. CK level fine, lyme negative, thyroid normal, no RA, etc. Was seen by a local neuro and passed the clinical exam ( my grip is OK) and the EMG he did on my arms and legs came back normal - no fascics, no fibs, no psw, etc. Babinski was normal on right foot, but I pulled away on left foot. He didn't know what to say about my hands. Given the EMG and clinical exam result he told me I did not have ALS. Given my symptoms I couldn't believe the EMG was completely normal. So, I am going to the regional ALS clinic (KU) that I went to originally nine years ago. Need a second opinion. Waiting for the appointment day and time. Any thoughts on my experiences and symptoms would be appreciated. And God bless all of you.