With ALS...

[Jakv]

does the dying of the muscle occur in one area and move on from there or can it happen in two or three areas at once?

 

[rascalking]

does the dying of the muscle occur in one area and move on from there or can it happen in two or three areas at once?

Usually starts with one area.

 

[Jakv]

thx for responding so quickly. can it be the arm and leg or the whole right side though?

 

[rascalking]

thx for responding so quickly. can it be the arm and leg or the whole right side though?

It will progress to the whole right side, but you will first notice obvious symptoms with just one area. Whether its weakness in the arm or hand.........or trouble walking.......or slurring speech......you will notice it first in one area. Plus, you said you're experiencing a lot of pain with this, which is not associated with ALS.

 

[Jakv]

i'm so confused about this muscle weakness stuff. like is there an easy indicator for knowing if your muscle is TRULY weak or what? if not i wish there was

 

[rascalking]

i'm so confused about this muscle weakness stuff. like is there an easy indicator for knowing if your muscle is TRULY weak or what? if not i wish there was

My friend, you WILL know if you have weakness. If you have to wonder whether you have it or not, you don't have it.

It would be interfering with your daily routine. Whether it be stumbling, or typing, or talking or in my case, being unable to clench my fist. You would know it.

 

[Phil M]

i'm so confused about this muscle weakness stuff. like is there an easy indicator for knowing if your muscle is TRULY weak or what? if not i wish there was

In my case. I could see it before I could feel it. One day you will pick something up. and notice that it feels a lot heavier, or you can't hold you arms up very long without getting tired. I'm progressing in all my limbs. A little bit more in my arms.

 

[Twinsmom]

My husband's symptoms are primarily in his legs and to a lesser degree his upper body and right hand.

He noticed first just that it was 'harder' to do things he's always done. First, he couldn't do his push ups as easily, then he couldn't do as many...With his legs, they literally feel fatigued to the point that he needs to sit down if he's up on them for more than 15 minutes. Now, noticing one leg (his normally dominant/stronger leg) is not as strong, and his gait is a bit more...stiff, sluggish, awkward.

We seem to constantly be waiting to see what "the next symptom or change" will be. ugghhh

 

[Jakv]

i'm really thanful that you guys took the time to respond. as helpful as you guys are being i have to add that my arm and leg feel fatigued, and i'm someone who's constantly typing, constantly standing up, so for this to happen i'm just really concerned. did you guys feel any twitching first or does or will that come afer?

 

[AndyDJX]

There are a myriad of problems that could cause the symptoms that you're describing. Have you seen a good neuro yet? A thorough clinical exam testing for weakness would make sense.

 

[Teeter]

I am new here and have no diagnosed yet.May 2008 I woke on Mothers day and had spasms of my entire thigh.This went on daily.My gait was off, I was falling a lot,etc.I went through 5 doctors who told me I had severe arthritis, etc. By July 2008 it was atrophied. Now my right side of my stomach is atrophied.I look like I have a cantaloupe hanging off my side.I had Shingles 3 times during 2008 and 2009 and now have horrible neuropathy all over my left side from that. I am waiting to get in to the MDA so that maybe they can help me with a diagnosed.I have had numerous xrays, abd. ultrasound, abd. cat scan, full body bone scan, brain scan. Everything came back normal. I walk at a snails pace.My left thigh which is atrophied gets hard like a rock a lot.I enjoy reading these posts as I can relate to a lot of it. Lately I feel like my throat suddenly freezes up and I can't swallow.I am 59 yrs. old female and this is very scary. I feel like I lost my normal life when I awoke that Mothers day of 2008.Maybe soon I will get a diagnosed. I wish all of you folks the best!

 

[Twinsmom]

Dear Teeter,
I'm so sorry for the rapid decline in your functioning abilities! It is one of the most infuriating, stressful things...going through this diagnostic process. Prayers to you for courage and grace!

 

[Teeter]

Thank you. I go Tuesday for an EMG and lots of blood work. Neurologist also wants me to have a spinal MRI. All I want is to know what is wrong. IF I haven't gotten better in almost 2 yrs now I am probably not. Therefore I just want to know what is wrong with me. Thanks for letting me here from you. You sound like a very caring person.

 

[Twinsmom]

We've been in the Motor Neuron Disease "Unspecified"/Trying to find something else journey for almost a year now. I've learned there are sooo many diseases that are little known. Getting all these tests will help you find the answers.

Let us know how the EMG goes!
Peace,

 

[limegreenphysicist]

Teeter,

Definitely go to a neuromuscular specialist. Given that you had the shingles in 2008 which is when you said your problems started in May 2008 would lead in the direction of CIDP which is a chronic variant of Guillian Barre which is commonly onset by viral infections or inflammatory infections. CIDP causes atrophy, weakness, and a host of other problems. A neuromuscular specialist will be well versed in ALS and its mimics.

To both of the thread worriers Just remember there are so many diseases out there so stay positive because you haven't got the dirty diagnosis and even if you do life doesn't have to end at ALS, CIDP, PLS, Cancer, etc...it ends when you decide to let it beat you. So enjoy your family and friends today and let your doctor worry with the diagnosis.

Jakv,

Believe me you know weakness....I couldn't pick up a cookie..not clumsy just tried to use all my strength to pick the darn thing up and my hand wouldn't do it. Also I can barely hold my arm up to put mascara on, my arm sometimes needs assistance from its partner lol..Also I trip over carpet when I wear sneakers so now I wear flip flops even though my Doc thinks this is worse for my foot pad. All in all you know it. I came on here thinking I had weakness but when it hit..I was like..man I miss those days when it was just perceived

Love to all of ya,

Kelly