Worried about weakness

[Kfran]

Hello...I have an appt with a neuromuscular specialist next week, but I was hoping to get some opinions before then. I was walking to my son's school about 6 weeks ago, and I fell forward when my left knee buckled. I was thinking that it could be my lupus acting up. At that time, I could walk on both my heels, as well as my toes. I was admitted into the hospital last week for a couple days for a high fever. At that time, they did a neurological exam while I was laying down. I had equal strength on both sides, but I was found to have clonus in my left ankle, and I have had constant numbness in two of my toes on my right side, so they ordered an MRI of my brain, which was normal. The doctor then checked for clonus the following day, and it was no longer present. Fast forward to today and I still have the constant numbness, but I also have another troubling symptom. I woke up yesterday with my calf muscles hurting and feeling very tight. I attempted to walk on my heels, but was unsuccessful. I can only take a few steps, and have to stick my butt out to compensate. I have no problem lifting my toes off the ground when sitting. The problem with heel walking is bilateral. Does this sound like a possible ALS onset to you?

 

[KarenNWendyn]

No it does not sound like ALS. ALS does not produce numbness, and ALS symptoms do not come and go. In ALS, it would be very unlikely for difficulty walking on heels to come on so suddenly and be bilateral right off the bat.

Lupus unfortunately can affect both upper and lower motor neurons. It is absolutely worthwhile to see the neuromuscular specialist to get it all checked out (and have them communicate with your rheumatologist). However, the presentation does not suggest ALS.