Hi, I'm new to posting to this forum (have been reading it since April), and though I was told that I have ALS by one neuro, my current neuro still hasn't said definitely that I have it.
In a nutshell, I have foot drop in my left foot, muscle weakness (alot in my left leg, some in my right getting worse), have had 3 emgs, a spinal, 4 mri's, etc. So it would seem that I have it... But I have no response on Babinsky, and IF I do have it, it doesn't seem to be going anywhere fast (thankfully!). I don't really have much fasticulations either, after I started taking a lot of Co-Q-10, vitamin D, and more... I'm just really tired, achy, lower back pain (problems with syciatic nerve and sprained left ankle for more than 17 years). I can't walk upstairs without pulling up with my arms, my back is feeling really weak as well, and used a walker at the mall for the first time the other day (lucky my kids weren't with me, they'd be mortified!)
My Dad had weak legs for 20+ years before he passed away, could it be possibly something inherited from him? No diagnosis on him, I remember we just kept saying if you got off the couch, your legs wouldn't be so weak. Wish that were really true, poor guy! One brother has Ulcerative Colitis, another has RA, and my Mom has Essential Tremors. I think all this started with a weird case of the flu in Aug 2008, that in retrospect may have been a Lyme attack, though I keep testing negative on that as well.
My question is, do all ALS patients have a positive Babinsky? What does it mean that neither of my feet have NO reaction. My fingers have been tested as well, and no response indicating anything wrong. I have hyper responses on the knee jerk thing. I'm still waiting for test results for Lyme (Western Blot) and for Cushings Syndrome, and have had inflammation in my system for more than 2 years now... it just doesn't seem to fit the protocol (if there is one) on the timeframes that ALS takes. What do you folks think? If I'm remembering properly, I don't have conduction block on the emg, and it indicates motor neuron problem... MRIs ruled out MS... spine specialist said no to spinal problem.... though I'm not sure if past nerve damage is visible on an MRI? Also, with foot drop, can you move your toes at all? I have more trouble moving them up, but still can grip the floor.
I'm sorry this is so long. Thank you for your thoughts and comments, I appreciate the fact that I've now joined a club that no one wants to be in... I keep reading about people who are afraid they have ALS (and mostly don't), compared to me, who got the diagnosis really quick, and is afraid that it's true. Thanks again all, and have Merry Christmas!