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Nick M

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Hi all,

A few weeks ago I noticed some disturbing symptoms. They may have started prior to a few weeks ago, but about two weeks ago they became very apparent. First I noticed general weakness and lack of coordination. No big deal, I thought, just stress and fatigue. Then about one week ago I started having difficulty speaking, chewing and swallowing--like my mouth and throat muscles aren't fully functional. Then the same feeling started to spread throughout my face. It's not really noticeable to other people but the feeling won't go away.

Also about a week ago I started getting muscle spasms in my left tricep. The exact spot producing spasms has since gone numb.

Most troubling is my left leg. It feels week and wobbly, and when I turn a corner while walking or make any adjustment to my stride, it will either over- or under-react (either twitch, or just do nothing and drag).

Again, all of these symptoms seem to be in their earliest stages, and all seem to have happened at roughly the same time. I have seen three doctors (including my family doctor) and I am waiting to hear back on a referral to a neurologist.

I'm 30, male, no family history, generally healthy. I worry that I push myself too hard physically (exercise and martial arts) when trying to deal with emotional pain and stress. I should add that the past year and half or so have been very stressful for me (job, family, relationships) and at times the stress and anxiety I've felt have definitely affected my well-being. I know my bio screams "hypochondriac", but there is no way these current symptoms are psychosomatic--there is something really wrong with my nerves.


Thoughts?

Can a particularly aggressive case of ALS produce symptoms in two limbs plus the face/throat all within a few weeks?
 
thanks for that. But BFS doesn't seem to match, either. The symptoms aren't migrating around my body--the dysphagia is persistent, and the twitches/weakness are in a few spots on the left side of my body (tricep, hamstring/calf, toes). Also experiencing a general clumsiness, dropping stuff, bumping into things, etc.

The dysphagia is the most obvious and of the greatest concern to me--I've read this can be the first sign of ALS?
 
Hi all,
Can a particularly aggressive case of ALS produce symptoms in two limbs plus the face/throat all within a few weeks?

If you're dealing with a particularly aggressive case, you'll know without a doubt soon enough and every minute you spend sitting at the computer instead of out enjoying yourself in another activity is lost.

I'll let others tell you this doesn't sound a bit like ALS (But, it doesn't).
 
Fitzroy, since you and Sadie gave the first and second opinions, I will give the third opinion if you'd like?

Nick, I'm agreeing with Fitz and Sadie on this. You mentioned overstressing your body during work outs. First, if this was an aggressive form of ALS, you would not be able to do any part of those workouts. I would check to see if there's a compression to a nerve. And 2, have you been checked for G E R D? I believe you must be using doc tor go og le as your second opinion. He's not worth what you're paying him. I say this because the average Joe doesn't know what dys phagia is. Third, you mentioned stress, which can lead to anxiety which leads to exacerbation of symp toms. Don't blow off anxiety so quickly. It's real. Like Sadiemae said, read her post and then read the one from Alyoop. Fourthly, ALS doesn't have numbness (which could be a pinched nerve). And lastly, the feeling in your face is perceived. You said it yourself, nobody has noticed it but you.

You also mentioned seeing 3 doc tors, but you never mentioned what their field is other than your PCP. Have you had any tests? It would be more helpful if you told us those things. Which leads me to the last question, why the referral to a neurologist? You already said the weakness is perceived, were you the one who asked for the referral? A wise man gave the reason a lot of PCPs refer out and its a simple answer. Here in the U. S. We are a sue happy society.

I wish you good luck,
 
Thanks TD

All three docs I've seen have been GPs. My family doctor, another doc in his office, and one at a walk-in. Was only given basic neuro. tests and everything seemed fine. Still, I know these symptoms aren't purely anxiety, though I'm sure anxiety was a precursor to whatever this is. I had blood and urine work done, but I'm assuming that won't show anything (will know by Monday or so).

re: working out... I meant I pushed myself to work out in the past. Over the past two weeks or so I haven't been able to work out because of the symptoms mentioned, plus some serious muscle fatigue. Walking now requires a bit of effort, my legs fatigue so easily, plus the twitching in my left leg.
 
I believe you must be using doc tor go og le as your second opinion. He's not worth what you're paying him. I say this because the average Joe doesn't know what dys phagia is. Third, you mentioned stress, which can lead to anxiety which leads to exacerbation of symp toms. Don't blow off anxiety so quickly.

I admit I looked that one up, but only after my doctor wrote it on my chart. It's actually my throat, jaw, and basically all my lower facial muscles that feel affected. Weak and sluggish, really.

Anxiety and stress have been huge problems for me over the past year or so, and I believe they can manifest physically, maybe even contributing to serious illnesses. But I am 100% sure what I'm feeling right now is not psychosomatic.
 
... I feel awkward, running back and adding to this every five minutes... but I need to mention: The symptoms such as muscle spasms feel worse at night, as I'm trying to fall asleep. Night jolts, esp. in my left leg. And my lower face muscles twitch--lips pucker, start to make a drool-y expression, etc.

Can someone please try to address this last part? It's literally keeping me up. Anti-anxiety meds (Ativan) seem to worsen it, making me loosen up, opening me up to more spasms.
 
Ask the folks at about. BFS.. com. They have answers that to ALL aspects of do i have ALS. Not just twitching.
 
Ask the folks at about. BFS.. com. They have answers that to ALL aspects of do i have ALS. Not just twitching.

I'm losing strength rapidly, especially on my left side. The areas that have twitched have become completely weakened. Normal activities and movements are becoming difficult. This isn't just twitching...
 
Sorry--but by definition--you wouldn't know if something was psychosomatic. Not the way it works--people with psychosomatic symptoms have very real symptoms--just not a real physical illness causing them. Oh, and it doesn't mean they are 'faking' -- it means the body is manifesting head games your mind is playing on you.

That being said--as everyone has said--we are not doctors. What I can tell you is that twitching isn't ALS---at least not an early sign. It happens after clinical weakness and loss of function. A hand that won't work. A foot that drags constantly and causes repeated falls.

ALS symptoms don't come and go. Generally, bulbar ALS begins with slurred speech--slurred speech noticed by others. You're not reporting that. If your exam was normal--then they saw no clinical weakness--those are good things.

There are conditions that can have sudden onset such as Gullian Barre. Myesthenia Gravis is another condition that affects muscles. It never ceases to amaze me that feeling weak and twitching leads people down the ALS path=--as neither are really early signs of ALS.

ALs almost always starts in ONE body part--a finger, a hand, a foot, or bulbar.

It's entirely possible that you've pinched a nerve somewhere in your neck or spine. You're a long way from needing to worry about ALS as a diagnosis. Try reading the sticky posts.

Good luck
 
ALS symptoms don't come and go. Generally, bulbar ALS begins with slurred speech--slurred speech noticed by others. You're not reporting that. If your exam was normal--then they saw no clinical weakness--those are good things.

There are conditions that can have sudden onset such as Gullian Barre. Myesthenia Gravis is another condition that affects muscles. It never ceases to amaze me that feeling weak and twitching leads people down the ALS path=--as neither are really early signs of ALS.

ALs almost always starts in ONE body part--a finger, a hand, a foot, or bulbar.

It's entirely possible that you've pinched a nerve somewhere in your neck or spine. You're a long way from needing to worry about ALS as a diagnosis. Try reading the sticky posts.

Good luck


Thanks very much! I feel a bit better after reading this.
 
Good :) A little reading here will prove to you all that I said. I honestly don't think you have Als--doesn't mean that there isn't something going on. Find answers--but let ALS go.

Come and tell us what they DO find out when they tell you.
 
Nick

I won't pretend I know definitively what you do or don't have. A neurologist may not The timeframe you described does not fit als. However Given how concerned you are about the symptoms you certainly need to see the neurologist. I doubt you will find what you are looking for online. I would therefore wait untill you have seen your neurologist before doing any more of your own research. Sorry I can't be more help.
 
Nick,

Have you had a sleep study done? I didn't see you list but urine and bloodwork. No MRI's either? Well,. By going to 3 different PC's, you have now given in to the trust issue. You need to find 1 PCP that you feel comfortable with and stick with them. If he/she feels you need a specialist, they will send you to one.

I asked about the sleep study because you mentioned it starting at night with your legs. Have you ever heard of rest less leg syn drome? There is med I ca tion for it.

As for the weakness, I agree with notme and the others. Everything you feel is perceived. You need to get ALS OUT of your vocabulary.
 
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