richux
New member
- Joined
- Apr 27, 2014
- Messages
- 7
- Reason
- Learn about ALS
- Country
- UK
- State
- Yorkshire
- City
- Guisborough
Hello everyone
I've been reading this forum for a week or so now, owing to worries about my wellbeing.
I will give an account of my symptoms.
It started in January 2014, when I noticed that I began to get pain in my neck, dizziness and perceived weakeness/unsteadiness sometimes in my legs and ankles.
I went to doctor's at the end of January and he thought I had an inflammed joint in my spine, in my neck and gave my a two weeks course of Naproxen.
The pills helped and by the middle of February I seemed to be almost back to normal.
Then in early to mid March I began to feel less well again, but it was more focused on the weakness in my legs and general tiredness. Around that time, or sometime in March, I noticed that the muscles in my legs and arms seemed to be shrinking and this really worried me.
At the end of March I went to doctor's again and said that I was worried it might be a tumor in my neck, who gave me an examination with strength tests and said that she was not concerned and that she agreed with the first doctor's opinions that it was a joint problem.
Since then I have continued to feel weak in my legs and ankles most of the time, though have still been able to walk normally, hold/grip things, turn keys in door handles etc. I do think I have lost some more muscle, it is slight and widespread but more on my legs I think than other parts. I have had occasional twinges of cramp in my calves but not excessive so far. In the last few weeks I think I may have had fasciculations in my lower legs usually at the end of the day when just sitting down after the day's activities.
I have also felt like I'm having to chew food for longer in the last couple of weeks before swallowing it, though I still seem to be able to swallow everything.
I think that the weakness I have experienced until now has been perceived, which might be a reassurance though I am very concerned about my atrophy. Of course most signs of limb onset MND start with one limb and then gradually spread to others whereas mine has been more evenly distributed. However there is no set pattern and it makes me wonder if I may have PMA which from what I've been reading can often be more vague and general.
I have also read the very informative stickies about weakness, but wonder if clinical weakness may be preceded by perceived weakness. I have read various cases of MND that seem to suggest this is so.
So far the main thing that has worried me is my atrophy. My weakness has tended to come and go at times though it is there more often than not. Yesterday I walked a mile to the supermarket and back and carried a fairly heavy bag of groceries back without too much difficulty, though other times I feel as though I wouldn't be able to walk very far.
I don't seem to have any trouble typing (my job is an office job with a lot of typing) though I do seem to make more spelling mistakes, hitting the wrong key, than usual.
The reason my concerns went from a tumor to MND was because my neck pain has now mostly gone, and yet my weakness and atrophy is continuing. Although the neck pain initially started at the same time I have thought that it could be just coincidence that my neck pain started at the same time as the weakness.
I have another doctor appointment this coming Friday because I am still very concerned indeed.
I would be greatful for any comments you may have, thanks for reading.
Ps, I'm a 32 year old male, weight 99-100 kg, down from 102 kg in February, 5' 10" tall, not particularly active and I also have moderate, weight related Fatty Liver.
Regards
Richard
I've been reading this forum for a week or so now, owing to worries about my wellbeing.
I will give an account of my symptoms.
It started in January 2014, when I noticed that I began to get pain in my neck, dizziness and perceived weakeness/unsteadiness sometimes in my legs and ankles.
I went to doctor's at the end of January and he thought I had an inflammed joint in my spine, in my neck and gave my a two weeks course of Naproxen.
The pills helped and by the middle of February I seemed to be almost back to normal.
Then in early to mid March I began to feel less well again, but it was more focused on the weakness in my legs and general tiredness. Around that time, or sometime in March, I noticed that the muscles in my legs and arms seemed to be shrinking and this really worried me.
At the end of March I went to doctor's again and said that I was worried it might be a tumor in my neck, who gave me an examination with strength tests and said that she was not concerned and that she agreed with the first doctor's opinions that it was a joint problem.
Since then I have continued to feel weak in my legs and ankles most of the time, though have still been able to walk normally, hold/grip things, turn keys in door handles etc. I do think I have lost some more muscle, it is slight and widespread but more on my legs I think than other parts. I have had occasional twinges of cramp in my calves but not excessive so far. In the last few weeks I think I may have had fasciculations in my lower legs usually at the end of the day when just sitting down after the day's activities.
I have also felt like I'm having to chew food for longer in the last couple of weeks before swallowing it, though I still seem to be able to swallow everything.
I think that the weakness I have experienced until now has been perceived, which might be a reassurance though I am very concerned about my atrophy. Of course most signs of limb onset MND start with one limb and then gradually spread to others whereas mine has been more evenly distributed. However there is no set pattern and it makes me wonder if I may have PMA which from what I've been reading can often be more vague and general.
I have also read the very informative stickies about weakness, but wonder if clinical weakness may be preceded by perceived weakness. I have read various cases of MND that seem to suggest this is so.
So far the main thing that has worried me is my atrophy. My weakness has tended to come and go at times though it is there more often than not. Yesterday I walked a mile to the supermarket and back and carried a fairly heavy bag of groceries back without too much difficulty, though other times I feel as though I wouldn't be able to walk very far.
I don't seem to have any trouble typing (my job is an office job with a lot of typing) though I do seem to make more spelling mistakes, hitting the wrong key, than usual.
The reason my concerns went from a tumor to MND was because my neck pain has now mostly gone, and yet my weakness and atrophy is continuing. Although the neck pain initially started at the same time I have thought that it could be just coincidence that my neck pain started at the same time as the weakness.
I have another doctor appointment this coming Friday because I am still very concerned indeed.
I would be greatful for any comments you may have, thanks for reading.
Ps, I'm a 32 year old male, weight 99-100 kg, down from 102 kg in February, 5' 10" tall, not particularly active and I also have moderate, weight related Fatty Liver.
Regards
Richard
