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nnj925

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Let me start by saying I read alot of posts on here of people who think they may have ALS and in one of the posts (I am not going to mention any names) but a LONG time poster on here was, I feel, very very rude to the new person posting. Now I understand you must get people on here often that have the littlest symptom and they are freaking out and you all get tired of it...however, thats what this section of the forum is for. It's to help people to maybe know if what they are experiencing is that. So with that said I would appreciate NO negative mean posts. If you don't want to answer me then do not reply. I am not here to bother anyone or annoy them...I am here because I am scared. I do not wish to be made to feel WORSE. With that said ...thank you for listening and here is my question/story.

Hi....a few years ago I posted on here...I thought I may have had symptoms of ALS....My symptoms at the time while they included muscle weakness and a feeling of muscle fatigue and some tingling etc....I did not experience tripping and dropping things with my hands. Well recently I have been having problems. I have been tripping...at first I blamed it on my sneakers catching on the carpet...this happened maybe 5 times in my house over the last 3 months. Then tripping while outside....My joints in my fingers feel very sore..especially at night and in the morning but as the day goes on they feel better I was checked for Arthritis a few years ago it came up negative. btw..I am a 42 year old woman. I was eating dinner the other night and turning my fork over and dropped it...feeling very clumsy lately. Then last night my leg kind of gave out while I was walking. My left one. My left hip has been hurting alot lately.

Now, to me...these sound like definet signs of ALS. Which is leading me to think that 2 years ago when I felt those other signs it could have even been the start of it?

I am not going to lie...I am scared to death. So any advice anyone can give I would appreciate.

Thanks,
 
What did your doctor say about your symptoms?
 
I haven't gone to a dr. yet...thats why I asked on here. ? I wouldn't have asked on here if my doctor already told me . I am going to make an appointment...but right now my 18 year old son is in visiting me and I didn't want to make a dr. appointment while he is here..thats why I figured I would ask on here just to get some feedback.
 
ALS doessn't come n go.
 
Some of the rude posts you might have read are specifically to a person that is repeatedly posting using a different name. By now, we know their writing style.

Other times, you must understand, that the replies are not only for those that post--but for those that follow as well. Normally, no one here is out and out rude to anyone.

Very few of the PALS that could be so much help on this part of the forum come any longer because of things like the above--what the users here have termed 'trolls'. If you read some more, you'll see that those with genuine concerns are answered.

Again, unfortunately, if one puts twitching in a search engine--ALS pops up. That leads people here.

Twitches are caused by a multitude of things--most of them completely harmless. Twitches, with no loss of use, is generally harmless.

Drop foot--where the foot drags--can be a lot of things--ALS only being ONE of them. The fact that you have pain actually points toward one of the other causes--such as a problem in your spine.

Arthritis checked for two years ago--doesn't mean that you can't have it now, actually. And there are auto-immune conditions that can mimic it.

The most common cause of stiffness in fingers is something going on in the neck or in the ulnar nerve, or carpal tunnel.

To diagnose ALS in ANYONE, there are several things that must first be ruled out. Spinal issues, auto-immune disorders, simple stress, arthritis, CIDP, MS--well, you get the idea.

The most common advice here is to see a doctor. If you're not happy with their interpretation, I always suggest a second opinion--only because I've had some bad doctors in the past--but as presented--the only symptom that sounds even similar to ALS is the dragging foot--but again--it won't come and go. ALS, unfortunately, comes and stays. Those with foot drop and ALS have to wear a brace to keep their foot up so they don't fall.

I'm certainly not saying there isn't something going on--and I'd be on the search for answers--but ALS is only ONE of many, many possibilities. Too many of your symptoms aren't part of the presentation --- namely the pain and stiffness. Those are seen in some with ALS late in the disease--but along with other signs that are just not missed on a neurological exam by a competent neurologist.

See your GP--let him run the normal tests--and see if they feel a referral to a neuro is in order. best of luck to you, hon. I can relate to not understanding when our bodies begin to feel wrong--but try to keep this in mind--it can only be ALS when it can't be anything else.
 
If you don't want to hear advice that might hurt your feelings, don't post questions on Internet message boards. If you have a health question, you should be seeking the advice of a qualified physician in the area where you live. Your computer and its Internet connection are not a substitute for a qualified physician and you are foolish to think that they are.

And, frankly, if you were really scared to death, you would already have been to your doctor. If it doesn't concern you enough to go to a doctor, why should we spend any further time dealing with you?

As you said, this has been going on for two years. If you had tended to it then instead of posting on message boards about it, it might have been fixed then. Hopefully, your neglect hasn't led to permanent damage that could have been fixed if you had tended to it promptly.

Good luck to you.
 
nnj925,
I am sorry for your ongoing issues and concerns. I would also suggest to you that you should see a physician for your symptoms. I agree with the others in what they post, except I do NOT agree with their hostility. Not all pals share their frustration and anger. If I was having your symptoms, I would definately be concerned as well, but you have to start with seeing a doctor first. While others may discredit pain with ALS, it depends exactly what you mean by pain. ALS can cause cramping and stiffness, which can lead to pain. I have this daily. Diagnosing ALS is a long process. There are many things that can cause your symptoms, not only ALS. So please see a doctor.
 
First NOTME...thank you your post was really informative...2 years ago I did not have what you called "drag foot"..that only began in past few months tho i wouldnt describe it as that at this point..more like clumsy , tripping... well...maybe that would be dragging? just when you say it like that i picture my foot dragging behind me...so no its not like that or anything...hrmmmm...

To the nasty poster above....sorry but I don't want to make a Dr.'s appt with my son here..my husband is in the Marines and we do not live near my son...so for his only visit this summer I am not going to worry him...I can wait the "WEEK" to go to a dr. And 2 years ago I did go to a Dr. but they did a spinal tap and that was it. I didn't have the symptoms I am having now..I certainly wouldn't have had all those symptoms I am having now and not have gone to a dr. for 2 years...I mean really? And btw..I made an appt with a neurologist group here in VA about 10 min ago and just as I thought they cannot see me till SEPT! hence the other reason I came on here just to get some feedback...I didnt wan t anyone to diagnose me...I just wanted some information.

Aristo..thank you for you kind words...I called a neurologist group here in VA today and made an appt.
 
Artisto,

No one here is hostile to anyone, except possibly you -- toward your fellow PALS and CALS that disagree with you on the best method for handling questions in this part of the forum. If you have concerns of that nature, feel free to open your own thread to discuss it -- Rants and Raves would be a good place for it -- rather than hijack these threads to beat your particular deceased equine. Thanks.
 
If you seriously think you may have an incurable, fatal disease, the place to start is with a doctor. Since you consider ALS to be a possibility, see a neurologist who specializes in ALS, as soon as possible.

I say this sincerely. Who among us would think they have cancer without seeing a doctor?

There are many disorders and diseases that share symptoms with ALS and many of those are curable or at least treatable. Don't waste your time here! We are all amateurs. Get the advice of a professional who has seen many, many patients like you.

If a neurologist suspects ALS, you would have a ways to go before diagnosis. You will have to have numerous tests.
 
ARe you all not reading my posts? OH WAIT...they are blocking them till they are approved by a mod? wow....I said I am going to see a dr. I just wanted some feedback and info thats all...isnt that what this forum is for? If not then they need to put up a rule that states:

You are not allowed to post questions asking about your symptoms UNTIL you have seen a dr.
 
I read your post. And the biggest problem you have, in my view, is depending on the Internet for your answers instead of going to the doctor and getting real answers. Why else would you be posting on an ALS board with vague symptoms that have persisted over two years, yet have no corresponding serious and progressive disability to go with them? (Hint: ALS is more than a "match the list of symptoms" kind of thing) And, by "serious and progressive" I mean a functionally disabled hand or arm or foot or leg, not an occasional trip, stumble, or fumble.

If you had had ALS with this set of symptoms two years ago, it would be crystal clear by now. Obviously, it hasn't been too troublesome for you or you would have followed up with more doctors until you got an answer. Your actions for two years belie your attitude, madame, so fix that mismatch before you jump in here and criticize other people.

Feel free to post here if you haven't seen a doctor. Expect and accept the criticism when you haven't. If that bothers you, too bad. There is no excuse for not seeing a doctor when you need one. If it's a choice between paying for the doctor or paying for an Internet connection, drop the Internet connection.
 
your the only NASTY person here.

And how many times do I have to state that 2 years ago my symptoms were completely different.? Did YOU NOT read my originial post? I said COULD that have been a start...meaning...with those other symptoms...

The foot dragging tripping thing...only started recently...how fast would it be...i mean with in a few weeks you have a limb that doesn't work? well sorry but I didn't think the disease would cause your limb to stop completely working in a few weeks.

The tripping thing and my hand thing have been getting worse...over the past 0-3 months...that I didn't really think much of it till it started happening more often...isn't that what normally happens...you dont go from 1 trip to 10 in a day?!? do you?

I was planning on going to a Dr. I just wanted some info and feedback about my symptoms...you sound angry and bitter...Chill out. Sorry you feel belittling others makes you feel better...if not,....well...that sure is what it sounds like.

I would have loved to get some real useful information from you. Instead of the time you took to be nasty...wow...that stinks.
 
By the way an internet connection is $15.00/month a Dr is over $175.00 here for a specialist. And I never mentioned money as an issue.
 
It's called Drop Foot and that's why people trip and fall. You can't stand on your tip toes or walk on your heels or lift your foot at your ankle when you have Drop Foot. Your toes drag when you take a step if you don't lift your foot high enough and you trip. A normal way of walking would be that your heel touches the floor with the rest of your foot following. With Drop Foot your toes touch the floor first with the rest of the foot slapping down hard. Not a pretty sight.

None of your symptoms sound like ALS. If you were to have ALS for two years you'd know for sure you had it by now.
 
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