Status
Not open for further replies.

Chris9642

New member
Joined
Jun 14, 2012
Messages
3
Reason
Learn about ALS
Country
UK
State
Tne and wear
City
Newcastle
Hi everyone,

Very worried about some symptoms I am experiencing and could do with your knowledge onto help me. I am a 30 year old male with some pretty bad Heath anxiety and tension - after around 5 months of muscle twitches and jerks I have started eperiencing a deep ache in my upper right arm and then in the last few days a clumsy and achy feeling in my forearm and fingers on both hands - its almost like there is an elastic band pulling in my fingers and my wrists feel very heavy. I don't have any weakness as such but things are starting to feel awkward. I did have an EMG test but it was just the Nerve conduction test following unexplained pins and needles and it showed normal- would that have detected a problem such as ALS/MND as I have read online that these can show up normal until much further down the line.

Can't even eat I'm so worried I hope you can shed some light with your knowledge.

Chris
 
Hi Chris, since your EMG came out normal, and both arms are affected about the same time, I highly doubt you need to worry about ALS... you may have pinched a nerve or something? Sensory issues like the tingling are also things that don't typically show up with ALS. ALS usually starts in one area, like one foot, or one hand, etc. It wouldn't start at the same time in both areas, and most twitches in ALS are AFTER clinical weakness, as the muscle is dying, not before. The EMG will detect upper motor neuron damage LONG before you notice it yourself.

My arms are affected now, but except for muscle spasms (like a charlie horse), they don't feel heavy, but do feel clumsy when I can't pick something up with my fingers.

So start eating, stop worrying, and go see a doc about the issues that you're having!
 
Hi Chris,

Sorry to hear you're having so many problems! I have to say, based on my personal experiences and listening to the experiences of many many others, your symptoms do not sound anything like ALS. Having a normal EMG/NCV also points the opposite direction of ALS. I do hope you find the answer to your problems! Keep following up with your physician and remember you are your best advocate for pursuing care and finding answers!
 
thank you so much for your replies. I only had the Nerve conduction test where they put the little shocks through my hands and fingers ... they didn't insert anything into muscle. would the NCT be able to detect a problem? I'm just so worried about this weird sluggish feeling my hands have developed which appears to be radiating from forearm on both arms :(
 
If you are worried about your new issues, then you need to go back to your doctor. They may or may not be in anyway connected with your previous pins and needles.

The answer to your question about having the NCS diagnose MND is NO. You did in fact NOT have and EMG if you only had the NCS part of the test....thats what has confused the previous posters.

ALS will not be diagnosed with just an nerve conduction studies.
ALS is diagnosed after a combination of abnormal EMG, abnormal Clinical examination, Patient history.

BUt most importantly, if you have new symptoms, as i said before, you should always get them checked by a Qualified Doctor.

Your post explaining the test you had just crossed mine , sorry
 
Chris, you're probably weak from lack of energy.

Nothing will do you in quicker than anxiety. Well that, and not eating!

Relax.

Grab a cheeseburger, watch the Euro cup with some friends, and keep you mind off all this.

Cheers,
Casey
 
Chris,

I have to agree with the others. Your symp toms don't sound anything like mine. Helen was spot on when she described onset. Typically, it starts in one limb, toes or fingers first. Then spreads upward toward the trunk. Then it usually goes to the opposite limb, and so on. With that being said, there are 2 threads you should read. One is a stickie by Aly(oop) appropriately called Hea lth An xi ety. The other is B F S or A L S by Sadiemae. These may help you.

But most importantly see your GP, if you feel the need to do so. Don't put it off. Remember, the faster you get the a ppoint ment and tes ting the faster you can get on with your life. And remember, don't listen to Doc tor Go og le. He's a bit of a quack. And when all is said and done, please come back and let us know. We love to hear good news.

Good luck to you,
 
Thanks again guys for your replies - i have made the mistake this morning of googling 'stories' of how symptoms started - obviously its such a wide range and a few do seem to indicate aching was the presenting symptom and I have this constant dull ache in my upper right arm as well as the clumsy feeling in both hands which seems to be radiating from the forearms - i know its probably anxiety related but im finding myself constantly googling and symptoms are sounding more and more similar despite not having any actual weakness - obviously I have also spent the entire morning going round lifting furniture, twisting bottle tops etc.... to test strength. I seem to notice moe when texting on I phone as it seems more of an effort - no weakness just clumsy heavy feeling.

Thank you again for taking time out to reply.
 
Chris.
I am not replying to scare you I am just replying to say I have the same exact symtpoms. Mine started in my right hand and then progressed to my left. I have NOT been diagnosed with any thing as I have had a normal nerve conduction test and fairly normal emg. (minimal non diagnostic abnormalities.) I have the same feelings you have with the clumsy fingers that seem to be coming from the forearm and a heaviness in my hands and wrists. I am scheduled to see a neuromuscular specialist in August. Please let me know if you find out anything. I will do the same for you. Again I have NOT been diagnosed with anything.
 
Chris,

Before you start to infuriate people, look at what you said in your last post. ......."you spent the entire morning going round lifting furniture".......... that right there should answer your question and relieve your fears. (This is not being said to appear rude!)

And I think I told you to stop oo gl ing. This is only hurting you. PLEASE read Aly(oop)'s stickie and Joni'fs thr ead B F S or A L S. I be lieve this will calm your fears.(Again, not a rude statement.)

Let me tell you how I am typing this message to you: I have a voice apps on my phone and tab let. I talk into it a few words at a time. Then when I'm done, I try to proof read (because my voice is raspy) and then I use a sty lus held between my teeth to separate and fix errors. This takes a lot of time, so please, read the stickies!
 
Last edited:
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top