mihu
Active member
- Joined
- Aug 29, 2017
- Messages
- 31
- Reason
- Lost a loved one
- Diagnosis
- 01/2001
- Country
- US
- State
- CA
- City
- Northridge
Hi Everybody,
I just don't want to have long threads or ask multiple questions, wanted to check if the following scenario would be a chance of ALS or not ... I me
Since 1 month and ~ 1 week I notice fasciculation in my calves and when I run or workout or randomly some very very mild cramps. Sometimes after working my calves. ( doin strength test each morning by pushing my body using my toes up to see If I get weak ).
I get also twitches all over in tights,biceps triceps , eye, temple but they are rare and go away.
Actions I took:
1st week : went to see 1st neurologist which dismissed ALS/MND from the beginning based on a quick clinical exam
2nd week: Saw a board neurologist with 50 years o experience is his field which he dismissed ALS as well and he didn't even considered necessary to have an EMG
3rd week: Finally found a neuro-muscular specialist with 10 years of experience which agreed to do an EMG in 3 limbs ( Legs, Right hand ) and a nerve conduction study.
What he told me ( still waiting for a final report yet ):
1. No evidence of MND , he clearly stated on a white paper for me to be re-assured
2. He suspects a lumbar radiculopathy ( I do have some pain around L4-L5 )
3. A pinched ulnar nerve ( light ) in the right elbow ( according ncs ) which doesn't bother me.
4. 3rd clinical exam without any clinical weakness or athrophy noticed by all doctors.
The reason I am experiencing this anxiety is that my DAD died of ALS in 2003.
Dad was sporadic and nobody from it's family had any neuro diseases in the past ( He has 2 sisters and 1 brother ). Grandparents were ok.
Last doctor said no EMG is required for follow up, but if I can do a spine MRI ( no contrast ) In 3 months would be good.
So based on this, nobody seemed concerned.
Also, the result of the clinical exam:
Neck:Supple. There is no cervical paraspinous muscle spasm or tenderness. The neck has full range of motion.
Cranial Nerves:
II: His visual fields are intact to confrontation
III, IV, & VI: Pupils are equal, round at 4mm. Both react to light. Extraocular movements are full. There is no nystagmus
V: His face is intact
VII: His face is symetrical with good strength billaterally
VIII: His hearing is grossly intact
IX & X: Uvula is midline, Palate elevates symmetrically
XI: His sternomastoid and trapezius are full billaterally
XII: His tongue is midline with good strength billaterally
Motor: There is no ahtrophy. There is no pronator drift
Coordination: Finger to nose, rapid alternating movements, finger tapping, heel-to-shin and foot tapping with normal limits.
Deep tendon reflexes: The biceps and trahicordials are 1+ bilaterally, the triceps is absent bilaterally. The knee jerks and ankle jerks are 2+ bilaterally. Toes are flexor bilaterally. There are no pathological reflexes.
Sensory: Intact to light touch and pinprick.
Gait and Station: Normal including heel, toe, tandem and arm swing. Romberg is negative.
I know I should trust the doctors, I know about the odds, and I know if it starts this way probably I would have a 0.00001% chance, but this fear is consuming my life because of my DAD (family history) and because I have a 10 months old baby.
Each time my twitches are going crazy I blame myself that I haven't made my genetic test before, I wouldn't have created my beautiful family and I would have stayed alone .. Because If something happens with me I don't care, but I just don't want to involve others...
I will avoid basic question like "EMG done to early" , etc. Just want to know if this might be a way of presentation? I have absolutely no weakness, no swallowing difficulties ( When I think I had bulbar after doing research I start to sing and I remove this bad tough).
:-|
I just don't want to have long threads or ask multiple questions, wanted to check if the following scenario would be a chance of ALS or not ... I me
Since 1 month and ~ 1 week I notice fasciculation in my calves and when I run or workout or randomly some very very mild cramps. Sometimes after working my calves. ( doin strength test each morning by pushing my body using my toes up to see If I get weak ).
I get also twitches all over in tights,biceps triceps , eye, temple but they are rare and go away.
Actions I took:
1st week : went to see 1st neurologist which dismissed ALS/MND from the beginning based on a quick clinical exam
2nd week: Saw a board neurologist with 50 years o experience is his field which he dismissed ALS as well and he didn't even considered necessary to have an EMG
3rd week: Finally found a neuro-muscular specialist with 10 years of experience which agreed to do an EMG in 3 limbs ( Legs, Right hand ) and a nerve conduction study.
What he told me ( still waiting for a final report yet ):
1. No evidence of MND , he clearly stated on a white paper for me to be re-assured
2. He suspects a lumbar radiculopathy ( I do have some pain around L4-L5 )
3. A pinched ulnar nerve ( light ) in the right elbow ( according ncs ) which doesn't bother me.
4. 3rd clinical exam without any clinical weakness or athrophy noticed by all doctors.
The reason I am experiencing this anxiety is that my DAD died of ALS in 2003.
Dad was sporadic and nobody from it's family had any neuro diseases in the past ( He has 2 sisters and 1 brother ). Grandparents were ok.
Last doctor said no EMG is required for follow up, but if I can do a spine MRI ( no contrast ) In 3 months would be good.
So based on this, nobody seemed concerned.
Also, the result of the clinical exam:
Neck:Supple. There is no cervical paraspinous muscle spasm or tenderness. The neck has full range of motion.
Cranial Nerves:
II: His visual fields are intact to confrontation
III, IV, & VI: Pupils are equal, round at 4mm. Both react to light. Extraocular movements are full. There is no nystagmus
V: His face is intact
VII: His face is symetrical with good strength billaterally
VIII: His hearing is grossly intact
IX & X: Uvula is midline, Palate elevates symmetrically
XI: His sternomastoid and trapezius are full billaterally
XII: His tongue is midline with good strength billaterally
Motor: There is no ahtrophy. There is no pronator drift
Coordination: Finger to nose, rapid alternating movements, finger tapping, heel-to-shin and foot tapping with normal limits.
Deep tendon reflexes: The biceps and trahicordials are 1+ bilaterally, the triceps is absent bilaterally. The knee jerks and ankle jerks are 2+ bilaterally. Toes are flexor bilaterally. There are no pathological reflexes.
Sensory: Intact to light touch and pinprick.
Gait and Station: Normal including heel, toe, tandem and arm swing. Romberg is negative.
I know I should trust the doctors, I know about the odds, and I know if it starts this way probably I would have a 0.00001% chance, but this fear is consuming my life because of my DAD (family history) and because I have a 10 months old baby.
Each time my twitches are going crazy I blame myself that I haven't made my genetic test before, I wouldn't have created my beautiful family and I would have stayed alone .. Because If something happens with me I don't care, but I just don't want to involve others...
I will avoid basic question like "EMG done to early" , etc. Just want to know if this might be a way of presentation? I have absolutely no weakness, no swallowing difficulties ( When I think I had bulbar after doing research I start to sing and I remove this bad tough).
:-|