Tonyjim
New member
- Joined
- Nov 25, 2012
- Messages
- 2
- Reason
- Learn about ALS
- Country
- US
- State
- NC
- City
- Durham
I don't want to be annoying, especially to people dealing with this diagnosis, but I have a strange plethora of symptoms. I hope it isn't ALS. About 18 months ago I noticed a tremor in my hands and neck. I was taking some nursing classes and it definitely got worse with stress and coffee. I learned about ALS In a lecture and ever since I have been very sensitive to weakness in my arms, legs and bulbar areas. The fear of ALS really got to me and I ended up taking some time off of school due to stress and anxiety. Relieving myself of school related stress really helped with the anxiety. But here is what I am experiencing to date: feels like I'm slurring my words, especially s's, and speaking slower. "tripping" over my words. My left leg, the heel hangs lower than the right, but I drive a lot so I assume that my right leg would be more toned. Also, a buzzing sensation in my left calf, leg falling asleep often, and pain/discomfort around my left knee and leg. My left knee also frequently has a sensation of buckling, but I've always been able to correct it. My left foot feels floppy, but I can walk on toes and heels fine. No falls. It seems it takes a lot for me to walk long distances across campus, but I've also gained a lot of weight so I feel out of shape. My hands feel clumsy, I drop things often, doctor has suggested carpal tunnel after an exam. I wake up and both arms will be dead weight, like I can't even lift them but it subsides after a few minutes. My arms fall asleep easy and get painful electric shock feelings. I'm 28 years old male, and have dealt with this ALS anxiety for over a year. I saw my GP and she seemed annoyed I was presenting all of these symptoms to her and quickly dismissed me. I spoke to a neurologist and he laughed at me and said my problems were "psychological.". I spoke to another doctor and she did some quick tests and told me to "ignore it.". I'm a nursing assistant, so I lift heavy patients all day long. My symptoms feel very real, especially the feelings of weakness and sensitivity in my left leg, the clumsiness, and the slurred slow speech. I did have a lot of fasiculations at first but they mostly went away. I want to seek out a good neuro and have an emg done, but it seems not necessary and a waste of money at the moment. Did anyone else start like this?