Hello all,
I’m another scared newbie, and I apologize for the length of this. I have had ALS anxiety through the roof lately, and especially after what I’ve learned about it through my web research, I appreciate it all the more for any of you with ALS who are willing to take the time to review the below and/or respond. For those who don’t, I hold no ill will, and very much understand why you may refrain.
I know no one here can diagnose, so that is certainly not what I am asking. I have reasons to believe I have it, and that I don’t. I’m just hoping one outweighs the other. But please tell me if the below looks typical of ALS to you.
It’s important to note that I have had varying levels of muscle twitching for about 10 years, and have never worried about it until recently. But at this point, I DO have both muscle twitching and clinical weakness, hence my concern obviously.
1) First symptom I noticed was constant muscle twitching in the arches of both feet – especially my left – over the last year. I know ALS twitching is almost always accompanied by weakness, and I also experienced tingling which is not indicative of ALS. So I didn’t worry much about it.
2) Over the last 3-4 weeks, I noticed some slight awkwardness when walking. Nothing major, but just a feeling that I had to concentrate a little more to keep my balance. I go to a neuro, and he does confirm that it’s not just in my head – I do have weakness in my left leg. Granted, he noticed weakness in a couple other areas as well, which I know does not fit the ALS profile until late in the disease. But none of those other areas have encroached upon the level of muscle twitching in my left foot. He seemed more concerned that it could be something like MS or a type of myopathy. He’s scheduled a battery of tests, but didn’t even hint at needing an EMG. In fact, he’s barely shown any concern for the muscle twitching at all.
3) BUT, since my visit to the neuro (about a week ago), I’ve noticed the muscle twitching in my left foot has seemed to change a bit. It is no longer just in the arches of my left foot, but also in my sole and heal areas, my ankles, and the lower part of my calves. They also seem relatively constant, and fairly fine – some of them I don’t notice until I put my left foot or ankle up against something. The ones I do notice feel fine and very rapid. Based on what I've seen, this type of twitching is more consistent with ALS than what I've had to this point.
So this is where I stand, and I’m going crazy thinking this could be ALS. I’m 26/m, so I’d like to think that points away from ALS, though I know it’s not a silver bullet. I am also still functional – I ran fine on a treadmill as recently as two weeks ago, even after the walking issue popped up, and I can run up and down stairs fine. There hasn't been anything from a functional standpoint, within my normal range of activity, that I can’t yet do upon attempt.
I would be very appreciative if anyone could tell me if this seems likely to fit the ALS profile or not. Again, I know no one can diagnose, I’m just looking for something to ease my mind IF in fact this does not seem consistent with ALS. Of course, if it does based on your experiences, I don’t expect anyone to just tell me what I want to hear, either. Either way, thank you very sincerely to anyone who reads and/or responds. My thoughts and prayers are sincerely will all of you who have been struck with ALS or anything of a similarly debilitating nature, and for those who are close with someone who has.
I’m another scared newbie, and I apologize for the length of this. I have had ALS anxiety through the roof lately, and especially after what I’ve learned about it through my web research, I appreciate it all the more for any of you with ALS who are willing to take the time to review the below and/or respond. For those who don’t, I hold no ill will, and very much understand why you may refrain.
I know no one here can diagnose, so that is certainly not what I am asking. I have reasons to believe I have it, and that I don’t. I’m just hoping one outweighs the other. But please tell me if the below looks typical of ALS to you.
It’s important to note that I have had varying levels of muscle twitching for about 10 years, and have never worried about it until recently. But at this point, I DO have both muscle twitching and clinical weakness, hence my concern obviously.
1) First symptom I noticed was constant muscle twitching in the arches of both feet – especially my left – over the last year. I know ALS twitching is almost always accompanied by weakness, and I also experienced tingling which is not indicative of ALS. So I didn’t worry much about it.
2) Over the last 3-4 weeks, I noticed some slight awkwardness when walking. Nothing major, but just a feeling that I had to concentrate a little more to keep my balance. I go to a neuro, and he does confirm that it’s not just in my head – I do have weakness in my left leg. Granted, he noticed weakness in a couple other areas as well, which I know does not fit the ALS profile until late in the disease. But none of those other areas have encroached upon the level of muscle twitching in my left foot. He seemed more concerned that it could be something like MS or a type of myopathy. He’s scheduled a battery of tests, but didn’t even hint at needing an EMG. In fact, he’s barely shown any concern for the muscle twitching at all.
3) BUT, since my visit to the neuro (about a week ago), I’ve noticed the muscle twitching in my left foot has seemed to change a bit. It is no longer just in the arches of my left foot, but also in my sole and heal areas, my ankles, and the lower part of my calves. They also seem relatively constant, and fairly fine – some of them I don’t notice until I put my left foot or ankle up against something. The ones I do notice feel fine and very rapid. Based on what I've seen, this type of twitching is more consistent with ALS than what I've had to this point.
So this is where I stand, and I’m going crazy thinking this could be ALS. I’m 26/m, so I’d like to think that points away from ALS, though I know it’s not a silver bullet. I am also still functional – I ran fine on a treadmill as recently as two weeks ago, even after the walking issue popped up, and I can run up and down stairs fine. There hasn't been anything from a functional standpoint, within my normal range of activity, that I can’t yet do upon attempt.
I would be very appreciative if anyone could tell me if this seems likely to fit the ALS profile or not. Again, I know no one can diagnose, I’m just looking for something to ease my mind IF in fact this does not seem consistent with ALS. Of course, if it does based on your experiences, I don’t expect anyone to just tell me what I want to hear, either. Either way, thank you very sincerely to anyone who reads and/or responds. My thoughts and prayers are sincerely will all of you who have been struck with ALS or anything of a similarly debilitating nature, and for those who are close with someone who has.
