PLEASE READ: It may not be a motor neuron problem

[notme]

To the person asking about white mouth and brown urine: Sorry, lost the post and can't seem to find it again. Remember, people can and often DO have more than one issue going on.

Brown urine is definitely not good. It needs checked. The white in the mouth could well be something as simple as a yeast infection easily treated. But, I'm not a doctor.

When we are ill--we tend to try to fit all symptoms into that one condition we know we have--that's not always a wise thing as I've recently found out.

And to the one on the ages long diagnosis merry-go-round, I can empathize. Some of us have spent years trying to find answers to things that just weren't 'right'. Be your own advocate, definitely. I'm going to assume that if you're a pilot--you're relatively emotionally stable--so if YOU know there is a problem--keep searching for the answer.

There are lots of people that are having a hard time being diagnosed--which sends them off to the internet.

I think the original poster was mostly talking about people that have twitches and are immediately convinced they have ALS. Looking at worst-case-scenario. I did the opposite--looked at BEST reasons fro my problems and was dead wrong--so finding out something serious was wrong was like a kick in the gut.

For those that are hyper-vigilant and concerned with every little twitch, ache, and pain--enjoy your life. We all end up the same way--the difference is how we get there. Do you want to spend 5-10 years thinking you might be dying or spend that time out enjoying your life?

There is one thing with ALS to remember: It's NOT curable. Being diagnosed with it is not going to change your life in ANY good way at all. Hold of on getting that diagnosis if you can. If or when it becomes painfully obvious something is happening--by all means, go be checked. Even those with health anxiety CAN and DO become ill at some point, folks.

Just my 2 cents worth

 

[Alastor M]

Brown urine is a major warning sign: It can indicate kidney failure.

 

[Bad Balance]

Or; it can simply mean that you are dehydrated and that you need to drink more water.

 

[notme]

Or; it can simply mean that you are dehydrated and that you need to drink more water.

Urine that is dark yellow can mean dehydration.

But, in nearly 30 years in the medical field, I've never heard of brown urine being caused by simple dehydration.

Blood in the urine often shows up at brown when looked at.

 

[Bhappy]

Rose,
Well said and excellent advice.

 

[notme]

Please believe the title of this sticky. I have LMN, UMN and atrophy--and unless something drastic was missed by a very good neuromuscular specialist, I do NOT have ALS.

Remember, everything doesn't have to be connected. It's very possible that more than one issue is going on that combined look VERY much like ALS--even to trained Neurologists! (2 thought ALS based on clinical exam)

Zaphoon said it best--it can ONLY be ALS when it can't be anything ELSE. A year and a half and a good neuro later--I've found that I just maybe fall into the "Something Else" class after all this time of being sure I had ALS.