linz6418
New member
- Joined
- Dec 5, 2012
- Messages
- 8
- Reason
- Learn about ALS
- Country
- US
- State
- ohio
- City
- cleveland
Hello,
Posting here will likely be regrettable (for my own mental/emotional state, not bc of you fine people), but I was wondering if an individual has all of the symptoms related to ALS, was originally diagnosed with it after an EMG, but then another doctor determined it to be spinal myolopathy from a fall, if he actually has ALS. He had no symptoms, fell last December, and then developed drop foot and weakness. Had the EMG in the spring at local hospital that produced diagnosis of ALS/spinal myolopathy- another doc ruled out ALS and pushed SM. He was relatively healthy and strong in time leading up to spinal surgery in June (went perfectly-follow-up MRI has also demonstrated that), and has negatively/quickly progressed since with all cardinal ALS signs (weight loss, skin crawling, loss of fine motor skills, general weakness that began on one side). Went to ER right before Thanksgiving because he woke up one morning with a slight slur, had brain mri, cat-scan, blood work- nothing came up. The neurosurgeon in ER told him it was physical therapy related- he's been going to PT since surgery but doc believed he needed more strength training. Not all symptoms are consistent, except muscle weakness and atrophy in all limbs. He's a 66 year old man. Went to family doctor yesterday and he's concerned enough to send him back to Cleveland Clinic. However, my dad can stand on the drop foot and balance himself, while lifting up his leg and I believe that his reflexes are within the normal range (all good, non-ALS right?). Can the disease progress so quickly? Have you ever heard of someone being diagnosed with ALS and then having it changed? My father and I are extremely optimistic people by nature (he does not believe he is dying), however, the entire family is really struggling right now. I know none of you are doctors, and that the internet is the devil, but I am looking for some hope or information to quell my fears until he has another EMG. I turned to this site and others in the hopes that I would find something telling me it's not ALS, but instead it's made me feel a terrible, deep fear inside. I do not know specific language of EMG (and don't want to upset my mom by asking), however, that diagnosis was never forwarded to Cleveland Clinic- just spinal myolopathy. Anyone have some positive insight? Will praying to every known god and making a million wishes change anything? I really love my dad and just want him to get better. Thanks in advance for your advice and if everyone wants to just tell me instead that I have a reason to be hopeful, please share
Posting here will likely be regrettable (for my own mental/emotional state, not bc of you fine people), but I was wondering if an individual has all of the symptoms related to ALS, was originally diagnosed with it after an EMG, but then another doctor determined it to be spinal myolopathy from a fall, if he actually has ALS. He had no symptoms, fell last December, and then developed drop foot and weakness. Had the EMG in the spring at local hospital that produced diagnosis of ALS/spinal myolopathy- another doc ruled out ALS and pushed SM. He was relatively healthy and strong in time leading up to spinal surgery in June (went perfectly-follow-up MRI has also demonstrated that), and has negatively/quickly progressed since with all cardinal ALS signs (weight loss, skin crawling, loss of fine motor skills, general weakness that began on one side). Went to ER right before Thanksgiving because he woke up one morning with a slight slur, had brain mri, cat-scan, blood work- nothing came up. The neurosurgeon in ER told him it was physical therapy related- he's been going to PT since surgery but doc believed he needed more strength training. Not all symptoms are consistent, except muscle weakness and atrophy in all limbs. He's a 66 year old man. Went to family doctor yesterday and he's concerned enough to send him back to Cleveland Clinic. However, my dad can stand on the drop foot and balance himself, while lifting up his leg and I believe that his reflexes are within the normal range (all good, non-ALS right?). Can the disease progress so quickly? Have you ever heard of someone being diagnosed with ALS and then having it changed? My father and I are extremely optimistic people by nature (he does not believe he is dying), however, the entire family is really struggling right now. I know none of you are doctors, and that the internet is the devil, but I am looking for some hope or information to quell my fears until he has another EMG. I turned to this site and others in the hopes that I would find something telling me it's not ALS, but instead it's made me feel a terrible, deep fear inside. I do not know specific language of EMG (and don't want to upset my mom by asking), however, that diagnosis was never forwarded to Cleveland Clinic- just spinal myolopathy. Anyone have some positive insight? Will praying to every known god and making a million wishes change anything? I really love my dad and just want him to get better. Thanks in advance for your advice and if everyone wants to just tell me instead that I have a reason to be hopeful, please share