I am 25 and terrified please help me

[clint31]

OK I will do my best to tell my story. I am terrified of having ALS and it is ruining my life. I am a 25 year old male and the fear of this disease is destroying a healthy relationship between my fiance and I because she thinks I'm crazy and losing my mind.

The symptoms began two weeks ago, while I had fasciliations much sooner. I had severe severe chest pains and irregular heartbeat dating back to february of 2008. In my left pec where it hurt I had spasms and fasciliations. I saw my general prac about this and he said I have nothing more than torn muscle fibers. Before this I thought it was clogged arteries or heart attack.

About two weeks ago I started having throbbing pain in my left leg. It would cramp and throb in pain. I thought it was a blod clot so I went to the ER and they said it was a panic attack and the pain was just from some other factor (I have a job where I walk many miles a day).

Within the past two weeks i've began to notice the fascilations have spread all throughout my body. I have had aches/cramps in my legs, hips, shoulders, arms and hands. Fascilations have hit all these areas. I talked to my doctor and told him of this and he did blood tests for diabetes, and a cell count, etc. I told him I thought I had ALS and he said "It is almost unheard of in someone your age. The odds are against it". He did say if it all continued after he put me on buspar, that he would schedule me an EMG test.

The pain and aches have continued and in the past couple days I have had no trouble walking or ever tripping or anything like that. I have had some different feeling in my hands, like a falling asleep sensation in each or loss of coordination but it could just be me worrying about it.

From what I know the symptoms couldn't come alive over a 2 week period or even in a few days could they? I've also had symptoms very consistent with lymes disease.... I had a swollen gland in my neck that i've never had before (side of neck) and I've had neck pain in the back of the neck and headaches.

Most concerning to me is the twitching, along with the pain and aches all over. Someone please read this and tellme your thoughts on my condition. I know the odds are against having ALS at my age but I cannot stop obsessing and it's ruining my life. I have an EMG scheduled for next week.

[clint31]

I also wanted to add a few things....

-I have maintained a weight of 230-235 pounds and have been at that weight for a year or so... I'm not losing weight.

-I have not fallen down, or had any problems with speech or elevated saliva levels, my tongue as I know does not fascillate.

-The main problem is the dull cramp-like aches I have in my arms, legs, feet, hands, and shoulders.

-I do feel pretty fatigued after a days work. When I walk I get a burning like sensation in my legs, like a burning fatigue sensation almost. This same sensation happens when I do like 10 push ups... my muscles are much more fatigued then they were before any of this happened.

-Another thing I am thinking in regards to Lymes disease is that I have had more irregular heartbeat/skipped beats/etc. in the past 3 months than I had previous to that ever in my life.

-There is no atrophy going on that my eyes can spot.

-Most concerning to me is in the last 2 days including now, my hands seem slower in typing and feel in slower motion while typing this out, this has me more scared of ALS.

-I am supposed to pick up my prescription for Buspar today, as my GP obviously thinks it is anxiety related, and I suggested to him it could be; but because of the aches and pains I'm having along with the fascillations this is not anxiety.

the words just keep ringing through my head.... 5000 ppl a year get this terrifying disease... and even fewer in my age range. I keep hanging onto that but realize I could be one of the unlucky few.... I never envisioned myself making it until I was old. My fears are not allowing me to carry on in my every day life normally.

[clint31]

I was doing some push ups to test my strength, I was able to do them at about the normal amount I've always been able to.... its not like my arms collapsed underneath me or anything like that.

However when I was finished I had tense burning sensations and feel fatigue in my arms and this is when fascilations would occur although none have as I am typing this.

Does this sound like something that could go hand in hand with ALS?

[PDaddy]

I'm no doctor, but it really doesn't look like ALS to me. Can you see a Neurologist to ease your mind?

[clint31]

I'm no doctor, but it really doesn't look like ALS to me. Can you see a Neurologist to ease your mind?

I have an EMG scheduled for tuesday at 2:00 PM now.

I have convinced myself that I have it and I am going to die young and tragically. I have been laying on the couch all day reading about this terrible illness. The whole time my muscles have been fasicillating in my arms, legs, etc.

my hands feel slowed in typing and mistake prone.

every once in a while there is a cramp in a hand, arm or leg.

why did you say you don't think it sounds symptomatic of ALS

[clint31]

in my mind there's only a few other things it could be.

Chronic Fatigue
Arthritis (so unlikely I feel)
Fibromyalgia
Lymes Disease (which I've basically read means you also have ALS)

[PDaddy]

For one thing your age points away from ALS, it's very unusual for someone under 30 to get it, but not impossible. Try to relax until you have the EMG, the neuro will set you straight. RELAX! (As Frankie Goes to Hollywood said)

[beccag]

dear clint,
what we have seen with this is that many docs are not familiar enough with als to really delve into diagnosing it...they seem to brush it off as other things. for us they did it for 2 years time, all the while we suspected als.....we finally got the right neurologist on the case....one who really listened and wanted to find the real cause of the problem...
my advice is, even if it isn't als...you deserve to know for sure...keep looking for a doc who will take charge and find your answers...they are out there. i hope it goes well for you. try not to be too scared until you know for sure....it may be something else.
best wishes...














OK I will do my best to tell my story. I am terrified of having ALS and it is ruining my life. I am a 25 year old male and the fear of this disease is destroying a healthy relationship between my fiance and I because she thinks I'm crazy and losing my mind.

The symptoms began two weeks ago, while I had fasciliations much sooner. I had severe severe chest pains and irregular heartbeat dating back to february of 2008. In my left pec where it hurt I had spasms and fasciliations. I saw my general prac about this and he said I have nothing more than torn muscle fibers. Before this I thought it was clogged arteries or heart attack.

About two weeks ago I started having throbbing pain in my left leg. It would cramp and throb in pain. I thought it was a blod clot so I went to the ER and they said it was a panic attack and the pain was just from some other factor (I have a job where I walk many miles a day).

Within the past two weeks i've began to notice the fascilations have spread all throughout my body. I have had aches/cramps in my legs, hips, shoulders, arms and hands. Fascilations have hit all these areas. I talked to my doctor and told him of this and he did blood tests for diabetes, and a cell count, etc. I told him I thought I had ALS and he said "It is almost unheard of in someone your age. The odds are against it". He did say if it all continued after he put me on buspar, that he would schedule me an EMG test.

The pain and aches have continued and in the past couple days I have had no trouble walking or ever tripping or anything like that. I have had some different feeling in my hands, like a falling asleep sensation in each or loss of coordination but it could just be me worrying about it.

From what I know the symptoms couldn't come alive over a 2 week period or even in a few days could they? I've also had symptoms very consistent with lymes disease.... I had a swollen gland in my neck that i've never had before (side of neck) and I've had neck pain in the back of the neck and headaches.

Most concerning to me is the twitching, along with the pain and aches all over. Someone please read this and tellme your thoughts on my condition. I know the odds are against having ALS at my age but I cannot stop obsessing and it's ruining my life. I have an EMG scheduled for next week.

[Sammantha]

What made you suspect ALS so fast?? That is really sad because now everything you have you will contribute to the ALS, rather it is benign or caused by a different codition.. I had similar occurrences years ago and i hate to think of myself believing i had ALS for over four years!! Because of your age and no wasting, a neuro will not diagnose you until you practically cannot use a limb or appendage. I am being serious, so please please do not give it all to ALS, it could be something little or something totally different that with treatment can be cured. My similar instances were: the pain in my left chest. I would get pain like a heartattack off and on. My left shoulder would freeze and had pain too so it really felt like a heart attack. One time it was so bad i could not sleep and i developed heart burn and went to the ER. The doctor did all sorts of tests, not a heart attack... He said it was either costochondritis or peptic ulcer. Over the years it has done it and sometimes it feels like my chest is being cracked open. I KNOW the pain will go away and it is not a heart attack so it does not bother me. I had severe pain mostly awakening me at night, first in the shoulder, then legs then my pelvic waist line. My doctors thought i was not drinking enough water. My muscles would get rock hard and i was prescribed baclofen. It made me feel a lot better. The muscle pain has subsided over the years but i always know when a new set of muscles is being affected because i get cramps in them and they hurt like he--. Then after awhile of cramping on and off the cramps are not as bad. The last place for me was my ribs, they hurt so bad i could feel everyone or every spot. Now they ache sometimes but not as bad. My other symptoms that lead to suspicion of ALS did not develop until a year and half ago. Before then neither i nor the doctors would have even entertained the idea, even though i had muscle spasms a lot. I am starting to think that there is a muscle condition out there yet to be diagnosed because of very similar circiumstances and we should thank our lucky stars that it is not ALS even though we are being or have been checked for it. Do not let your quality of life be affected by a illness that you may or may not have.......... You may or may not get cancer or hit by a car, but you dont obsess over that!! It sounds like you may have an anxiety disorder, trust me i know... I developed one from fear of losing my job and not getting better health wise........ Anxiety is fear of your fears.... It does not imply that your current symptoms or problems are due to anxiety either it just suggests you may need extra help to deal with your worrying. Good luck

oh and ps...... I have NOT been diagnosed with ALS......

[wright]

Alright Clint, here's the deal

No one on here can tell you that you do or do not have ALS (only a neuro can do that). However, ALS is something that typically sneaks-up on you. It sounds as if this more or less hit you quickly and hit you hard and hit every limb in your body at about the same time. That just isn't your typical ALS story. Your anxiety is undoubtedly making your symptoms worse, too. It sounds viral in nature or maybe some type of post-viral autoimmune disorder (and it probably doesn't have a name). If you read a lot of the literature out there about autoimmune disorders, many are idiopathic and are more prevalent than one might think. You also mentioned Lyme, which is another possibility. Your symptoms could also point to many, many other things.
Bottom line: do your symptoms sound like ALS? No they don't . . . at least to me they don't. You will often hear that everyone is different in their presentation of the disease, but it does tend to follow a pattern (exceptions do exist of course) and you just don't fit that typical pattern. One other thing you have in your favor is your age. Only 5% of cases are diagnosed prior to the age of 30.
Go to your neuro and then listen and believe him/her when they are done with all of the tests. Go enjoy your weekend and your fiance' and feel good about life. You're more than likely going to be just fine.

[clint31]

I appreciate the encouraging responses.

Im still scared to death that this is my fate. I don't know how I'll ever face a test from the neurologist on tuesday.

I've made up my mind that no matter what, even if I don't have ALS.... my fiance and I are going to start a charity of some sort to raise money for the disease. I'm going to do it every year for the rest of my life. I've learned so much about this terrifying ailment in the past couple weeks.....

I'm going to make an impact if I am just given the time to do it. I am just frightened to a point where it's hard to function or enjoy other things. I can't seem to find a rational way to explain the sudden pain and fatigue in my muscles and ESPECIALLY the fascillations. although if stress and anxiety alone can cause them to happen each day all day long then that would be a possible cause.

[PDaddy]

Good luck Clint, please let us know what the neuro says! ;-)

[KevinMDA]

Clint,

The most important thing for you to do right now is to quit worrying yourself so much over this. It will only make it worse.

Wait until Tuesday to see what the neurologist says. It could be something very treatable.

If it does turn out to be ALS, there is plenty of help out there for you. There are plenty of people on this board you can lean on. Your fiancee loves you and will be there for you.

Your local MDA chapter can help in many ways...www.mdausa.org.

We can continue to work toward treatment & cures. If you want to help others with ALS, I'm sure your local chapter would love to have your support.

Again, try to quit stressing over this, have a good weekend, and just wait until the test results come back.

Good luck, and God Bless.

Kevin

[clint31]

Ok I can't stop worrying.

It seems as if the symptoms get worse at night. Am I right?

The pain, and that is what it is, like a pulled muscle ache over my entire left leg; got worse. I really started freaking out when I noticed that I'm having more twitching in the left leg than anywhere else..... could that have just been anxiety? It's like a throbbing pain in the entire front/back of the left leg.

still theres no foot drop or anything like that. The weird part is it feels like an injury I had as a HS senior playing sports..... exactly like that. And that made my left leg weaker in clinical tests when we went to have it checked out and it went away and hasn't bothered me until now. now it is bothering me again and i'm sure it will show weaker in any type of strength test. I also noticed my left bicep is smaller than my right but I'm right handed. I also noticed a tad bit more stiffness in my left wrist.

Could symptoms basically manifest in a matter of days from bothering my whole body to a more localized area? Or am I going crazy and making these things manifest themselves because of my anxieties?

[clint31]

ok a couple more things:

-the twitches are not constant and not JUST in my left side. They're all over when I have them they just SEEM to be more prevalent in my left leg and left arm that are bothering me today. But overall they're sporadic and everywhere.

-I was having chest pains in my left side before this all started weeks ago.. not sure if that means anything.

-I don't noticeably have strength difference in my left side or right side. Its not like I have lost use of my hand or I have foot dragging or dropping. My left leg feels heavier when I walk and cramps up, that is it. It is a cramping pain. Like last night when it started to act up I could almost find the tender spots in my leg by massaging around.

-There was a point yesterday from 6:30 pm to 10 pm in which I felt totally fine. Not sure if this is because I took my anxiety medicine or what but I did not cramp or anything. It felt as normal as it has in weeks. So then I laid down on the couch with my fiance to watch TV and it began to misbehave. It began to cramp and the anxiety/worry kicked in probably making it worse. At some points it throbbed in my hamstring area/thigh area, and at some points it felt like numb and tingly by the foot.

-This is basically the same thing w/ my leg that I had in high school in 2001 as a senior 7 years ago. I went to a sports medicine doctor to have it looked at. They never did tell me what it was, they just said overuse classic case and by taking celebrex and rest it would go away and it did. It was weaker back then in the sports medicine docs office.... so I'm sure it would be weaker now. The doc said back then I had to do exercises to strengthen the muscles in my left leg because it wasnt as strong as my right. Would this count as muscle weakness? Same thing with my left hand. I'm a righty, I have always done things better with my right, but it doesnt make my left useless and weak.

I'm just so scared and hoping to get any kind of answers here or encouragement from people that can be honest. Could this type of stuff be anxiety induced?

it seems like it's changing on me awful fast? Like going from my whole body to hitting one side in a day? Is it just me being too worried about it? Someone please help me...

[clint31]

Is there anyone out there who DOESN"T think I have ALS from what I'm describing?



-The one most concerning thing I'm having is that my left hand feels slow/clumsy. I don't know if I'm imagining it or not.

I know if I put my finger down and try and tap it as many times as I can in say, 10 seconds.... i could do it like say 50 times, while with my right it is CLEARLY faster and I could do it probably 60 times. But I am right handed dominant, and I don't know if the anxiety and worry that my left side is being attacked is adding to this.

-The cramping in my leg/foot actually seems better today.... but its still different than my right which is now normal.


The thing I keep thikning about and hoping for is it is just anxiety and worry contributing to it; and that how could symptoms possibly become so clear and change so much within 5 days with the increased amount of reading I've done on ALS. I mean, 5 days ago it was my entire body aching..... it couldn't move from the full body to the left side in that quick of time could it? Also the fascillations DEFINITELY started out ALL OVER the body, and have now become more prevalent in my left arm and left leg (rare in foot, none in hand yet).

just looking for ANYTHING as far as thoughts.

[wright]

Hello again

If you look at the replies from myself, Sammanth and PDaddy . . . you have your answer as to whether we think you have ALS. Again, we can't diagnose you over the internet, though (your neuro will take care of that on Tuesday). You yourself said that when you took your anti-anxiety meds, your symptoms went away. Does that not tell you that your state of mind is causing your symptoms? Were your symptoms "real" when this all started? Most likey yes, but in my opinion, were not due to ALS. As I already said, though: neither I nor anyone else can diagnose you here, so you'll have to go to your neuro for that. Thankfully the appointment is right around the corner. You have to promise us that you will listen to what he/she says and believe them. Don't waste another minute worrying about this and enjoy your weekend with your fiance'.

A few other things to help you calm yourself:
You're right-handed so you'll be able to tap your right fingers faster than your left fingers simply due to coordination.
Twitching can be caused and made worse by anxiety and lack of sleep.
Fatigue is one of the leading causes of muscle cramps.
Anxiety can also cause one to feel "weak in the knees."

[JohnMc]

I am not a doctor, but I definitely think that anxiety can cause some of the symptoms you are seeing. When I first had the fasiculations, I assumed that it was just stress.

Also, remember that there are many other conditions that mimic ALS symptoms. The path to diagnosing ALS is largely about ruling out the other (treatable) neuro conditions.

[clint31]

Do ALS symptoms get worse at night or is that just something I've conjured up myself? Do they vary times of day?

Can one worry themselve into thinking the left hand is clumsy? I guess so.


Also I assume it is not bad thing that I do have fascilations all over. BFS--if that is why I have the random fascs, could be the cause I guess. Can BFS cause a foot to cramp up or weak hand syndrome?

[clint31]

This above test has helped calm my fears only slightly. It is a foot drop test. I am able to do all of these things and as recently as 5 days ago I ran stairs (stairmaster) for my night excercise. I just hope the test is correct.

[patricia1]

It sounds like you need some blood test When was your last physical, It can be a thyroid problem low possasium lymes and yes anxiety. But I dont think ALS. See your family doctor and be evaluated.

Take care

Pat

[clint31]

It sounds like you need some blood test When was your last physical, It can be a thyroid problem low possasium lymes and yes anxiety. But I dont think ALS. See your family doctor and be evaluated.

Take care

Pat

Hi pat.

I haven't had a 'physical' per say, but about a week ago my doc did bloodwork for cell count, diabetes, etc. He ran a battery of bloodwork tests. Don't know if it had thyroid in there or not.

I bet my potassium is low, I never eat bananas or anything that has much potassium in it; still seems to simple to be causing such a mess.

Why do you doubt ALS? I appreciate your reply and pray you are right.

[patricia1]

Your too young for ALS and your symtoms to vague to be ALS. unless its in your family I doudt its ALS. and sometimes it can be a simple problem like potassium or thyroid.

Relax its a rare disease

Pat

[clint31]

my fascs. and spasms go away when I have taken my anxiety medication the past two days, not completely, but they reduce.

Prior to this I've had fascs all over my body (I just didn't notice them as closely as I do now). Maybe I'm just a person who has them.

In regards to lymes is it true if you are positive for lymes on a test that it will develop into ALS or that it is a sign that you also have ALS already?

[patricia1]

NO! It may mimic ALS but doesnt cause ALS

[clint31]

What does the lump in the throat have to do with ALS?

[Al]

Sorry Clint. I had to take out that link. It had way too much junk advertising spread around 2 paragraphs about a health issue. By the way, I don't think you have ALS either.
AL.

[clint31]

Also worried b/c For a few months back I thought I was having sleep apnea. I thought I was overweight and that was causing me to wake up several times a night from literally not breathing. It has subsided but sometimes when I lay on my back I feel uncomfortable or difficulty breathing.

I also just have general shortness of breath I've always passed off as my massive anxiety problems/panic attack onset.

Could have all this been ALS, including when I was having that chest pain and many many focused fascillations in my side of my rib and in my pectorals (which have now stopped)?

Or does the trouble with breathing come late in ALS, not as a warning sign?

[Al]

Mine came about 2 or 3 years after my symptoms were noticible and then I needed a Bipap.
AL.

[clint31]

Mine came about 2 or 3 years after my symptoms were noticible and then I needed a Bipap.
AL.

Are you suggesting that my worry was a warranted one or a silly one (I hope the second option)

Thank you for your caring and kind responses.

[Al]

Well if you look at me at 57 and it took 2 or 3 years into the disease to need a Bipap and have atrophy, I'd say you are doing pretty good. It just doesn't all fall on you like a ton of bricks. It is very ,very rare th decimate a person in under a year. It does happen but is about the same chances of winning 100 million in the lottery. I'd try to relax.
AL.

[kra_zquilter]

Clint, I wish I could give you a big hug! We can talk ourselves into anything. As we age, these bodies of ours develop all sorts of pains, weaknesses, etc., and when that happens, we want to know why. We want to fix everything. But, darn it, sometimes we just have to bite the bullet and thank heaven for the good we have left. A plane could fall out of the sky and get us - but we can't spend all our good time worrying it will happen. My advice is to look at the good, the use of the limbs, the ability to move, to swallow, to hug your sweet fiance and be grateful for that as long as it goes. It may be there will be some good that will come to you because of the scare. Is this anxiety you are experiencing the normal you?

Elaine

[clint31]

One thing I wanted to know was.... how quickly can I expect to know something after the EMG on tuesday.... should they be able to tell me that day most likely?

[patricia1]

Its up to who is doing it .If your doctor is doing it he will tell you If at ech is doing it and your doctor is present then he will tell you But if its only a tech You probably wont get the results. And emg dont prove you have ALS. there is no real gold test for, ALS
good luck My first symptoms beside slurred speech was a lump in my throat Pat 1

[clint31]

OK so now I'm really freaking out. Today was a bad day in which I pretty much guarunteed myself I'm going to be one of the few unlucky in the 25 year old range to get ALS.

My left leg continues to hurt and cramp and fascillate. My right leg not at all now. My left arm also hurt today. My right arm did not as much, it was like 90%/10%.

My left hand seems to have lost some function already.... it literally has slowed in a couple days and there are forearm cramps that make my fingers stiff and curly like when trying to type. left wrist also feels stiffer.

Thought I noticed my speech slurring or needing effort to speak tonight.

I do not fascillate when I am moving. This only happens to me at rest.

The main thing for me that I am just hanging onto with dear life is my age, and the fact that the symptoms cant hit someone like this in a matter of mere days can they? It seems it has progressed and changed rapidly in me in just 3 days or so if I have it. I am hoping it's just anxiety.

Couple more questions....
1) Could Benign Fascillation Syndrome cause these very same symptoms, or lymes, or fibro???? So even though I have these clear symptoms is there any caused by only ALS?

2) I have my lymes test monday.... then my EMG and stuff tuesday.... say I do have lymes because I have some lymes symptoms like headaches, swollen glands, and flu like chills.... but they wanna diagnose me with ALS on tuesday.... i mean can they differentiate?

Someone please help. I remain afraid and honestly just hopeless at this point.

[patricia1]

you say you had a lymes test Wait for results the chills swollen glands are not ALS symptoms and that should have been rles out before a EMG.. EMG does not show lymes..
And the fact you are worse so fast is a viral or bacterial sign NOT ALS so relax .

[clint31]

I had a fever of 99.5ish today.

I was happy to see that as that might mean it's something viral going on. Whatever it is.... could a virus really cause my joints and muscles to ache and my feet and hands to cramp?

I'm really starting to wonder if all my obsessing and my anxiety disorder are playing a role in all this.... even though the pain is real in my left leg and my arm joints/muscles.

Is the fact I had a fever a good sign? I'm still terrified and looking for any signs of hope or rationalism until my EMG tuesday.

[clint31]

also continuing to have fascillations all over.... abdomen, left leg, both feet, arches, forearms, left pectoral.... and never while in actvity.

two questions from things i've heard:

1) if this was ALS, would the fascs be constant, like when I was walking or in activitiy? I have heard they are

2)Could the symptoms all hit at once like this? Or would it be much more gradual than over a 2 to 2 and 1/2 week period?

[jskierz]

Clint you really need to see a physician and let them diagnose what you are experiencing. People have tried to reassure you but seem to be in such a state that you do not want to listen. You need to be tested by a physician so they can diagnose you. All the great people on this forum cannot. We are here to support you if your worst fears are realized, but you need to have the necessary testing.
Take care and God bless.

[Al]

Clint. Get a grip. Go back and read this thread. We have already answered those questions. You may be sick but not with ALS. Just my opinion.
AL.

[CindyM]

I agree, Clint. You definitely have something going on that needs treatment. Please stop worrying about the disease you MIGHT have and go get treatment for what you do have. You may feel miserable enough to die but I promise you, this can be treated so you will be as good as new.

[ladyk]

I have been having almost exactly the same symtoms as you for a year now. It started with horrible chest pains & twitching in the left chest. Shortly after my sternum area actually swelled up and twitching spread throughout my body. Pain is always present. Numbness and tingling in my legs, feet, arm (left) and left hand. I drop stuff and have fallen over from some strange complete lack of balance. I was diagnosed with costochondritis with questions of twitching just ignored for quite some time. For a year when I try to lay down painful and intense twitiching commences in left rib cage area. Any activity that uses any strength causes intese pain and twitching all over. I've been treated with sterids, cortisone injections into my sternum and with lyrica and flexeril. After repeated visits to doctor he sent me to psychiatrist who found nodules and lg lesion on my thyroid. He has also set up neuropsych testing. I'm in a waiting game to see if the thyroid lesion caused these issues or if it's something else. I found this forum when I was freaking out myself one day about all the waiting and uncertainty. On the 25th (after a 2 1/2 mo wait) I go to endocrinologist and on July 17th for neuropsych. In the meantime I still suffer and wait but try to find some joy in each day I'm given. It's not easy but try to stay calm, stress will make you feel worse. I find strength in the stories of others and in knowing that I'm not alone in my suffering. The wisdom and courage of the people here are truely inspiring. Maybe this will be your path and maybe not but certainly you can try and make the best of everyday that you have.

[CindyM]

How true LadyK. None of us are gauranteed a long life- or even a happy life, for that matter.

It helps to remember that there are dozens of diseases that mimic ALS and all of the others are treatable.

[fiddleplayer51]

Clint,
Everyone who responded to you has given such excellent advice. They've done their part in supporting you and allowing you to express your concerns and fears. Now it's up to you to do your part which is to wait for a more definitive assessment of your symptoms from your doctor. All the worrying in the world is not going to help you in any way at this point.
Please read through some of these replies again and let them assist you to await further testing and answers.
I'm sorry you are so upset and I really sympathize. But at this point, with so many kind answers and so much good advice given you by members of this forum, you're the only one that can help yourself now as you await further diagnosis. You're young and it's harder to wait when you're young, but you must learn that that is how life goes. We often must wait and we must learn to fill the time we spend waiting in productive ways. That in itself is a coping mechanism. Some day in learning this lesson you may be able to offer comfort to someone else who is having difficulty waiting for answers.
Peace to you, Clint, and all the best. It will be good to hear from you after you've received a more definitive diagnosis.
Jane