Status
Not open for further replies.

Caeleb

New member
Joined
Mar 11, 2018
Messages
2
Reason
Learn about ALS
Country
AUS
State
Victoria
City
Melbourne
Firstly thank you for taking the time to read my post.

I am a 22 year old with no serious medical history, aside from asthma and atypical migraines. Prior to the onset of all these neurological symptoms I had 12 rounds of tonsillitis. At the start of last year I began experiencing symptoms: Burning pain in my forearms, muscular chest pain and episodic neck stiffness that would result in me being unable to turn my head. Weaknesses in my arms and occasionally in my legs, although my leg weakness was episodic and there were times when I couldn't walk properly. Fatigue, dizziness, feeling faint, minor eye drooping and most annoyingly shortness of breath (although this may be caused by the anxiety of all the other symptoms). I saw many doctors - Physician, ENT surgeon, Cardiologist, and finally a Neurologist. Upon seeing the neurologist, he proceeded to diagnose me with the atypical migraines and attributed all of my symptoms to the migraines. I was prescribed 5mg of Endep (amitriptyline) and that did seem to help a lot of my symptoms and reduce the severity of all of my symptoms (aside from the shortness of breath). The Endep lost its efficacy fairly quickly and I ended up increasing the dose, up until I reached 25mg. At that point the side effects of the medication became far too unbearable and I now take 5mg again. Over the past month however new symptoms have developed: My muscles twitch - specificity my fingers, triceps and calf muscles. My fingers often feel heavy and stiff. The burning pain that was in my forearms is now also in my right foot. My calf muscles feel weaker, although this may be because I haven't been as active. The weird observation I seem to have is that 6 months ago I started going out drinking every weekend and since then the migraine symptoms (visual disturbances, head pain...etc). Seem to have dramatically improved. I've had a head MRI and full spinal MRI, both of which were normal. I've also had a NCS and the results were entirely normal. I honestly am struggling to believe that these neuromuscular symptoms are the result of migraines and I'm starting to worry that this may instead be something like ALS? Sorry if I sound completely crazy, going through this has been incredibly difficult. I've just started my Master's degree and I'm on verge of entering into a new relationship, it's difficult to find the motivation to continue these things mainly due to the depression that comes from living with this everyday and the overwhelming feeling of hopelessness. Any insight/advice you are able to offer is greatly appreciated.
 
Sorry I also forgot to list: I did also have very low iron levels and received an infusion.
 
None of what you describe is ALS
 
That's really a lot going on, but not even remotely like ALS.

If you are concerned you have world class neuromuscular specialists in Melbourne.

Sorry we can offer any kind of help here.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top