CO37
New member
- Joined
- Apr 17, 2016
- Messages
- 4
- Reason
- Learn about ALS
- Country
- US
- State
- CO
- City
- Broomfield
Good afternoon. I have an upcoming appointment for a referral to an neurologist but I am consumed with nerves and worry. I felt I need to write this out
I noticed some clumsiness in my pinky and ring finger on my dominant hand. There's some perceived weakness, namely it "feels" weak and my grip feels like it is not as robust as my left hand (I am right handed). There was also some numbness and sensation changes I think. I was looking into ulnar nerve issues initially before noticing what appears to be some muscle atrophy in my right arm and forearm. The muscles are smaller and less defined, there are less prominent veins as well. Placing hand flat on a surface though it is not drastically different than my left. I have some symptoms of ulnar nerve impingement, however and a year and half injury to my thumb that could be the cause of these symptoms. But I've had some slightly notable weakening of my right arm as well, it seems to tire quicker than my left. Nothing like clinical weakening I think. I can still do everything like open jars, keys, type. Though the anxiety seems to be attributing to some continued clumsiness.
I also now noticed that basically my entire right (dominant) side seems to be less developed or smaller than my left. It's noticeable in my ankles and calves, upper arms, and chest muscles. I have a slight upper eyelid droop as well, but that has been present for a very long time. I want to say this isn't new, but my memory (coupled with my nerves) can't seem to pull that together.
My wife has complained that my breathing is heavy when I lay down to sleep, and I have a hard time catching my breath lying down sometimes. I've gained about 25 lbs since this time last year and my breathing is short when I am full. I have had a general tightness in my chest when I run as well sometimes, like i cannot take a deep enough breath. That is intermittent and has happened over the year or so as well.
Similarly I've noticed my legs feel heavy and tight. In particular after exercise and sitting for a long time. I was seeing a chiropractor for back problems last year and she thought I had tight quads and hamstrings, but nothing concerning. I don't stretch regularly from running so I've always attributed some of the stiffness to that.
I've had some sporadic muscle twitching as well on and off. Noticeably in my tricep, hand in the area below my thumb, calf and upper inside of my leg. I've always thought these were normal and they will last a few seconds and usually subside if I move or touch the area. These don't seem like they are the type that is described as a symptom of MND.
So it feels like every time I find some symptom of MND I can find a corresponding personal symptom somewhere on the spectrum. I haven't really slept in the last three nights due to being consumed with worry. I'm going to my PCP this week and hopefully get a referral to a neuro. It just seems like there have been a cascade of awareness of potential symptoms since I noticed my hand and now looking back I can see connecting potential dots. Not sure what I'm looking for here, but I felt like I needed to type it out.
I noticed some clumsiness in my pinky and ring finger on my dominant hand. There's some perceived weakness, namely it "feels" weak and my grip feels like it is not as robust as my left hand (I am right handed). There was also some numbness and sensation changes I think. I was looking into ulnar nerve issues initially before noticing what appears to be some muscle atrophy in my right arm and forearm. The muscles are smaller and less defined, there are less prominent veins as well. Placing hand flat on a surface though it is not drastically different than my left. I have some symptoms of ulnar nerve impingement, however and a year and half injury to my thumb that could be the cause of these symptoms. But I've had some slightly notable weakening of my right arm as well, it seems to tire quicker than my left. Nothing like clinical weakening I think. I can still do everything like open jars, keys, type. Though the anxiety seems to be attributing to some continued clumsiness.
I also now noticed that basically my entire right (dominant) side seems to be less developed or smaller than my left. It's noticeable in my ankles and calves, upper arms, and chest muscles. I have a slight upper eyelid droop as well, but that has been present for a very long time. I want to say this isn't new, but my memory (coupled with my nerves) can't seem to pull that together.
My wife has complained that my breathing is heavy when I lay down to sleep, and I have a hard time catching my breath lying down sometimes. I've gained about 25 lbs since this time last year and my breathing is short when I am full. I have had a general tightness in my chest when I run as well sometimes, like i cannot take a deep enough breath. That is intermittent and has happened over the year or so as well.
Similarly I've noticed my legs feel heavy and tight. In particular after exercise and sitting for a long time. I was seeing a chiropractor for back problems last year and she thought I had tight quads and hamstrings, but nothing concerning. I don't stretch regularly from running so I've always attributed some of the stiffness to that.
I've had some sporadic muscle twitching as well on and off. Noticeably in my tricep, hand in the area below my thumb, calf and upper inside of my leg. I've always thought these were normal and they will last a few seconds and usually subside if I move or touch the area. These don't seem like they are the type that is described as a symptom of MND.
So it feels like every time I find some symptom of MND I can find a corresponding personal symptom somewhere on the spectrum. I haven't really slept in the last three nights due to being consumed with worry. I'm going to my PCP this week and hopefully get a referral to a neuro. It just seems like there have been a cascade of awareness of potential symptoms since I noticed my hand and now looking back I can see connecting potential dots. Not sure what I'm looking for here, but I felt like I needed to type it out.