Didn't want to be 'that guy'

[Energy1]

But here I am.... doing the thing I swore I wouldnt do, post a 'do i have als' thread....

im a 36 yr old male.... pretty good health.... last late summer/fall i started to occasionally get numb toes on the right side of my body but i didnt think much of it... until the day after halloween, i had burning and numbness in both feet pretty steadily for about 3 days.... then on and off for a couple of weeks.... alarmed, obviously, i got a referral from my PCP to a neuro ( the PCP said i have 'anxiety' from discontinuation of xanax) dont hang up here.... theres much more to the story.

In late december 2013 i make it to the neuro and he said all of my neurological signs seem to be 'normal' (no brisk reflexes, occular issues, balance or strength etc) but he sent me for blood testing , an EMG and NCS.

Only abnormality was a VERY SLIGHTLY elevated sed rate.


EMG AND NCS done late jan 2014

EMG was done both feet, lower legs, hands , forearms , triceps - all normal

NCS showed sensory neuropathies only, no motor nerve abnormalities.... the weird thing is , it was just the median nerve in each arm showing slower velocities and the same nerves in each foot/leg (paroneal) this was done by a doctor other than my initial neuro who also checked my strength/reflexes, etc. confirmed initial neuro exam

Diagnosis - bilateral carpal and tarsal tunnel syndrome.

Ok, I accept that... I take a deep breath... ok, even though I dont have any real arm/hand complaints at this point or typical CTS symptoms.... ill go with it.

early feb 2014 I get a pian in my neck/upper back/shoulder blade on the right side... burning like a toothache in the top of shoulder blade for a couple of weeks, i do some chiropractic... then in mid feb my right index finger tip and part of my thumb go numb... still are.

Pain leaves shoulder but turns into my pectoral/tricep/lats twitching for the last 3-4 weeks.... comes and goes.... i AM a bit physically weaker in my right triceps (dominant side) i tested this by seeing how many one arm tricep extensions i can do with a 10 lb weight to muscle exhaustion and my left is probably 30-50% stronger

It feels as if the numbness in my feet has kinda mildly subsided, but my feet are extra sensitive to stimulus where there is functioning nerve. occasional stiffness in my right foot...

i know im likely anxious about this when it is something completely different, but here i am.... had to ask... does this sound like als presentation/development? i have other random sensations and quick twitches etc.... should i chalk them up to anxiety?

i am a bigger guy.... pretty strong all over even in the "weaker limb"

would the EMG in jan have caught anything abnormal considering i was having foot numbness in oct/nov 2013 if this were a symptom of ALS? My chiro believes due to my sleep position and weight, i injured my brachial plexus over repeated poor sleep position and over a year straight of sleeping on my couch, shoulder down and all 250 of me on top of it?

I know i probably sound like a d0uch3, and we all pass on.... but any feedback would be great.... im sole custodian of my lil guy , so that adds to the anxiety... of me checking things... size strength, is my grip weak? would i normally grab/hold something that way? you know the usual....

i have a history of anxiety but that didnt cause the very real sensory neuropathies i apparently have due to the nerve conduction tests.

If you need any more info about me or whatever, letme know... i thank you for reading, all my best wishes, and complete gratitude to those who take the time to talk to me! Blessings and Wellness!

T

 

[Energy1]

my twitching is worse when i am seated with my elbow bent, if that means anything or matters.... and aside from the triceps would probably be considered on the trunk as opposed to limbs.


Thanks again!

 

[Mediasmart]

It honestly sounds like your history of anxiety has relapsed. Unless I missed something it sure doesn't sound like-ALS.

 

[FSHolbrook]

What you have described does not sound like the ALS that I know about. Clean EMG what could be better?

Rick

 

[Dusty7]

Clean EMG = not ALS.
Your symptoms are generally sensory which indicates not ALS.
I would agree with your chiro that your perceived weakness in the arm is probably due to a muscle strain, trigger point or something similar.
70% of nerve fibers are gone by the time you can perceive muscle weakness, so in my non-doctor opinion, your Jan 2014 EMG would have shown any ALS type problems (active and chronic denervation).

Sleeping on the couch for a year sounds like home-life or financial problems. And you recognize that being sole custodian of your child adds to the stress. I would say your health problems sound mostly like anxiety. Get that under control and enjoy life.

 

[skipper66]

I am unsure as to what is going on with you but it isn't ALS. It does look like anxiety is causing a tremendous ammount of your problems. We really can't help you much on this particular forum because we aren't doctors and most of us only knowledgeable (sp?) of ALS and other similiar conditions. I wish you well and hope you find out what is going on soon. Relax though because it isn't ALS. Thank God for that. But, please follow up with a physician. Best of luck to you. Kim

 

[CGARS]

I agree with the others,
This isn't the forum for you.
good luck

 

[Energy1]

thank you all for taking the time to respond to me, i appreciate the input... a relief in some regards... this whole process of tests, not knowing, fear, parastesia, etc etc would take its toll on anyone.

i wish all here the best luck and warmth of healing, not to mention grace and dignity in the face of this nasty disease. my heart goes out to all... while i fight my own battle that pales in comparison to most people on this board, i hope that we all may find oneness.... with eachother and the universe... we are born from energy and one way or another we all return to energy. I am here if anybody needs an ear.... my compassions and humility are laid out for all.

most sincere regards to all,

T

 

[Energy1]

Question on EMGs

Dd anybody here initially diagnosed with cts actually show an abnormal nvs/ncs prior to diagnosis?

 

[Clearwater AL]

You wrote, ("I am here if anybody needs an ear.... ")

NO... you're not here. This Forum is not your place. You do NOT have ALS or any MND. You have serious psychological issues which need to be addressed with a psychiatrist. Finally... this Forum is no place for your psychotic philosophy. Enough.

 

[slimva]

I'm not trying to scare you, but we have a lot of symptoms that are similar, I was diagnosed with ulnar nerve lesions and low vitamin D. Anyways, I know for a fact there are numerous people here who were initially diagnosed with cts and it was actually als. Many people here won't talk about it, but keep an eye on your symptoms and maybe see a hand specialist.

 

[Energy1]

Actually, Clearwater, I am here if anyone needs someone to talk to or feels lonely. Fear or anxiety whether for good reason or not is trying. I'm a human, same as you, why is my outreach to people who may be scared, lonely or in need a reason to act nasty toward me? I have no malicious intent, purely caring and innocent and you want to unceremoniously scortch me? I understand you're facing a ton of fear and uncertainty... Why degrade my offer to extend a hand?

Having said that, I'm still not positive what's happening here and I've seen and going to see doctors... Thanks so much for listening to my 'psychotic babble'

 

[edwards5257]

Blessings to you T!

 

[Clearwater AL]

I will repeat what CGARS wrote to you...("I agree with the others, This isn't the forum for you.") This Forum is not to be your personal Chat Room. You do NOT have ALS or any other MND. More than one have told you that you have ANXIETY issues. This is not an Anxiety Forum. Finally, you wrote, ("I am here if anyone needs someone to talk to or feels lonely.") You have nothing to contribute being that you do NOT have ALS or any MND. Get it? Go start a Lonely Hearts Forum.

PS Even you admit my point as you wrote, ("Thanks so much for listening to my 'psychotic babble") Again, this is not the Forum for you.

 

[affected]

Anyways, I know for a fact there are numerous people here who were initially diagnosed with cts and it was actually als. Many people here won't talk about it, but keep an eye on your symptoms and maybe see a hand specialist.

You may know it for a fact because people here do talk about it, that's how you know.

And it is true that this has happened but I would like to make another fact clear - the number of people diagnosed with CTS that turns out to be ALS is a minute percentage. They actually get the CTS diagnosis right nearly all the time.

Energy, it is kind that you offer support back, but you should find a support forum appropriate to your situation. This section of our forum is just to contain the people with questions, it is not a place for people without ALS to stay and play.

I hope you work with your doctors, begin to trust them, and solve your anxiety issues.