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davegud

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I am a 37 y\o previously healthy male. 2 months ago my health concerns started with foot drop in my left foot along with a bunch of sensory neurologic symptoms that were moving all over my body. I also had some crazy migraine equivalent aura's like I have never experienced. This stuff lasted about 3 weeks. The only thing that stayed is the foot drop. Once things calmed down the twitching started. Mostly in my feet, shins, calves, hands, and forearms. But occasionally other places. These are like rumbles and occasionally a buzz. Within 3 or 4 days cramping started. Mostly in my hands and feet, but sometimes larger muscles. I should also say that from the beginning I started to notice that my tongue occasionally felt "fat" when I was talking. The most obvious problem is with the letter s or sh, but my wife doesn't hear it. I've also noticed a problem doing fine motor stuff like buttoning my shirt. This is worse on some days. Also by mid day I develop a general shakiness that feels as if I have done a heavy workout and my muscles haven't recovered yet. Starting yesterday some muscles in my face are getting extremely sore, like I've had my jaw clenched too long, but I haven't.

An MRI of my brain was normal and I'm getting a spine MRI today. So I've read enough to be concerned, but I'm trying not to jump to conclusions.

My first question is: does the sensory stuff at the beginning totally rule out als?
Second question: would it be unusual to experience onset in my hands and feet as well as bulbar symptoms so close together in time?

I'm going to a very good specialist in boston, so I'm trying to wait, but my mind is full of questions...

God bless all of you dealing with this disease. Thanks.
 
So I've read enough to be concerned, but I'm trying not to jump to conclusions.

What have you read that has caused your concern and how do you think it applies to your situation?

My first question is: does the sensory stuff at the beginning totally rule out als?

ALS does not usually cause sensory problems. If you think that whatever caused those problems is causing your other problems, it's probably not ALS. It would be prudent however, to wait until your neurologist visit to start any further reading. That way, you'll have a better idea of what you should be reading about. From what you have described here, I don't see any indication that you should be worrying about ALS any further until your neurologist tells you that you should be worried about ALS.

Second question: would it be unusual to experience onset in my hands and feet as well as bulbar symptoms so close together in time?

If what you have described were ALS symptoms, then it would be very unusual for them to be occurring so rapidly in so many different areas of the body. Since they appear to be symptoms of something else -- perhaps more than one something else -- then having them all over your body may be how things go. It's best to wait and see what your neuro says before you start digging around on the Internet for answers. There is too much incomplete and misleading information out there, and it will scare you unnecessarily if you don't have someone with the proper training to put it in perspective for you.

Good luck to you.
 
trfogey,
Thanks for your response. I probably could have described my symptoms better. I am trying to avoid google as much as possible. I'm really not sure if the sensory nerve issues that lasted for a couple weeks were related or not. The initial problem was foot drop in the left foot. My sister had a massive stroke at 32, so I had a very anxious response to this loss of movement in my foot. Perhaps the anxiety caused the sensory stuff (migraine equivalent stuff). All that stuff has gone away and I'm left with the foot-drop as well as twitching, cramping, and a weakness that is more pronounced on the left side. The trouble pronouncing S and Sh has sort of intensified over the last month as well as a constant dry mouth. Some days are better than others. When I'm busy I notice it less and think it might be going away, but I'm usually greeted the next day with the same thing. I guess I wanted someone to rule out ALS, but I obviously should wait for my Neuromuscular appt. My local neurologist as well as my MRI's do not point to MS, which was the original suspicion of my GP. I know there are a lot of other possibilities, so I'm staying positive. I have been focused on taking care of myself a lot more. Thank you.
 
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