May I ask One question?

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rayray123

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Hi,

I posted a thread but wanted to ask a question.........I hope its ok.

Does ALS feel painful? Do you feel the muscles stiff, tired, achy or do you just one day try to pick something up & cant ...........Im trying to undestand muscle weekness.

I have strentgh in my muscles. I can squeaze hard but my muscles are tired. If Im holding something heavy, I have to put it down to give my muscles a break because they feel heavy, tired & achy.

This is in both arms & both hands?

Would ALS present like this?

Thank you for your replies! (hugs)
Im really confused
 
Rayray123,
I'm sorry you are having challenges that are leading you to think about ALS. One of the PALS will be able to respond to your physical symptoms, but I would encourage you to start with going to the doctor, and not get ahead of yourself. ALS is a tough disease to diagnose, and many of the symptoms are also symptoms of other TREATABLE diseases-my husband is still undiagnosed after 8 months of specialists, testing and observations). I can tell you some of my husband's symptoms (diagnosed with MND) sound similar to yours. I've learned there are different ways "weakness" shows itself. One is endurance (for example how far/long you can walk before you have to sit down) and strength (not being able to carry a 12pack of sodas).

Try to not get too far ahead of yourself! There are lots of resources in NY...get yourself to a doctor & hopefully you'll get the answers you need.

Peace,
Melody
 
Hi Rayray - Melody gave you good advice about seeing a doctor. My experience is that the weakness tends to be actual inability to use your muscles to lift or move things. They are not particularly tired or sore. In fact I was remarking to my wife the other day how strange it is that I feel perfectly fine most of the time. If I'm sitting and relaxing in my recliner, it feels like I could just spring up and start doing jumping jacks or whatever. Only once I start to move, suddenly everything gets very difficult.

Now sometimes if I over-exert myself, walk farther than I should or stand more, I do feel very tired afterwards. It is pretty much the same tiredness anyone would feel after a day of doing too much, just for me it now shows up after only a very modest amount of exercise.

Another thing in my case is that the weakness has started on one side much more than the other. I assume the other side will catch up eventually. I think it is pretty common to hit one side first.
 
rayray123, ALS-caused weakness isn't a muscle problem at all -- it is a nerve problem. Right before the last motor neuron that controls that muscle dies, there are no physical problems with that muscle. When the neuron dies, the muscle is still the same, but it can no longer be voluntarily controlled. The muscle is no longer able to do what it used to do and it will never regain that ability.

If you are still able to use and control the muscle, then you don't have weakness caused by ALS.
 
If you are still concerned I would recommend looking for an ALS Clinic and see a Doctor there. They deal with ALS every day and the best to rule out this disease. You symptoms do not sound like ALS to me. But, then I am not a Doctor.
I have ALS, Limb onset, Dx May 11, 2006. I have no muscle movement below the waist, and it is moving up my torso.
 
Thx for all your replies,

So basically, if I feel this in both my arms and hands, it doesnt sound like ALS.

Als starts in what? One hand, one finger, one leg or in the muscles of BOTH hands, both arms?



When they say the MAIN sympton of ALS is weekness, I dont understand what that means.

I feel like I have Myositosis or HORRIBLE fibro where my muscles are just tired, for instance, I have to keep stopping while typing because my hands (Both) & arms (Both) are getting stiff, fatigues, crampy (but not a full fledge charlie horse type cramp) & I just need to rub my muscles. It pretty much stinks! Sometimes I cant make a complete fist NOT because I Cant move those muscles but because it hurts when I get to a specific point. Again, both hands..............This feeling is in my arms as well.

Id like to know what were your 1st symptoms that led you to the DR and how were you diagnosed? Would anyone tell me......

I am 39, female, I have so much compassion for you all, just for taking time to answer me,
God Bless!
 
Dear Rayray,
It's a very slippery slope comparing symptoms. Motor Neuron Disease symptoms can vary greatly, and while Capt Al and my husband may both have limb onset ALS, both will experience it very differently. The fact that you're not feeling well, and having difficulty with the use of your hands and arms is enough reason to go to the doctor. Let them guide you. You will save yourself a great deal of stress if you can stay out of your head, thinking of all the "things it COULD be". One of our forum members has been saying recently something along the lines of..."You have not enough information and yet too much information". We can scare ourselves into some pretty awful places. Please don't do that to yourself!

I hope your are feeling better soon and get some clarity from your doctors.
Peace,
 
that was good advice right there, we are all different. i am limb onset and it started in one hand... a tumb and index finger acting slow and not being able to open the latch on the door.
 
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