chuckstr
Member
- Joined
- Apr 29, 2014
- Messages
- 18
- Reason
- Learn about ALS
- Country
- US
- State
- WA
- City
- Seattle
I've read all of the stickies and many threads and am so impressed at the level of knowledge and support. I thank all the answerers for their time and insights. I have a 40% grip strength reduction on the left and clinical weakness 4+/5 in my left bicep on exam, duration 5 weeks (weakness could have been there longer). At outset, I had severe pain in my shoulder and outer arm, and pretty severe pain in my neck as well as tingling in both hands. I've done PT and much of my pain has disappeared but the weakness remains. In addition, I've more recently developed "heaviness" in my legs and arms and fasiculations in my legs. I'm not sure if they are true fasics, they are tiny muscle contractions that don't seem to really ripple. I've seen 2 neuro surgeons and 2 orthopedic spine specialists who have done some neuro exams. My cervical mri supports some of the arm/neck stuff but perhaps doesn't really explain the grip weakness (main problems at c4-c6, moderate on left at c6/7, cord stenosis at c5/6), lumbar mri is mostly benign. I have an ALS specialist Neuro consult in roughly 2 weeks. My questions are :
Do fasics really need to be like worms under skin (rippling) to count as far as ALS goes?
I read in the stickies that you need UMN and LMN signs in order to have ALS..., does stiffness of muscles in the neck, shoulder and legs count as spasticity? (I don't have any others according to exams so far)
What would the timeframe be (in general) for the hand weakness to increase if it were ALS?
Is it worth waiting for the ALS neuro consult (and possible EMG) or should I see my previous general neurologist (who I can probably see more quickly)?
Thanks for everyone's time. Take Care...
Do fasics really need to be like worms under skin (rippling) to count as far as ALS goes?
I read in the stickies that you need UMN and LMN signs in order to have ALS..., does stiffness of muscles in the neck, shoulder and legs count as spasticity? (I don't have any others according to exams so far)
What would the timeframe be (in general) for the hand weakness to increase if it were ALS?
Is it worth waiting for the ALS neuro consult (and possible EMG) or should I see my previous general neurologist (who I can probably see more quickly)?
Thanks for everyone's time. Take Care...