soccerdad
Member
- Joined
- May 2, 2014
- Messages
- 14
- Reason
- Learn about ALS
- Country
- US
- State
- IL
- City
- Rolling Meadows
Please bear with me as I’m new to this. This all started about 2-3 months ago. Like many new to this site I am extremely concerned about ALS symptoms I am having. I am about to turn 59 this month. I have to admit like many I’ve done the Dr. Google search thing on the web, but it’s hard not to do so and in those searches I think most of us who do so are looking to see if the symptoms we are having can be something else. This all started out when I noticed the loss of dexterity and strength in my left hand, the inability to button my shirt at times, turn off a light etc. If I work it out with a rubber ball the dexterity improves a little, and I’m starting occupational therapy next week. The only atrophy so far is between the thumb and forefinger. I was also having some pain in and below my neck which I thought may be related to all the time I spend in front of my laptop for work and after. I had l5S1 disc surgery twice, the last one 18 years ago, so I thought it could be related to a compressed disk since I had previous disk issues. I had a sore left shoulder (had frozen shoulder surgery about 10 years ago on the right one) and forearm weakness. My PCP ordered an MRI of the spine and it showed Cervical Spondylosis and some typical arthritis of a man my age. My PCP referred me to a Neurologist. He did an EMG and a diagnosis of Ulnar Neuropathy at the left elbow. While in his office he noticed some fasciculations in my left arm, and that was the first mention of the need to keep an eye on that for ALS… of course that turned me upside down and off to the internet I went. Looking back I can recall some twitches over the years, but the fasciculations in the left arm have gotten more intense and have wondered over to the right arm, occasionally in the face, and I just noticed some in the left leg yesterday. They seem to increase when I go through the stress of thinking about all this. I do get some tingling and numbness in my right arm and that comes and goes. I have had calf cramping where it totally locks up and is painful, but I’ve experienced that for at least 15 years or more. I’ve noticed a little more of it since stressing the last day or two. While I've always been a bit of a mumbler and have had trouble with my “L”s for years, speech has become more difficult, some days worse than others. I find myself clearing my throat more, can’t swallow that big vitamin like I used to, and swallowing has become more difficult but manageable for the most part right now. Today my voice started to get horse. My PCP ordered a brain MRI for the swallowing issue and muscle weakness, and it came back normal. As far as strength, I can still do three sets of 40 dips and 25 pushups on a dip bar I have, even with some weakness in that left hand and lower forearm. The Neurologist had me do some strength tests and I showed a lot of strength in the arms where the fasciculations are more active. He did a Brisk Reflex test in a couple of areas which was negative. I can walk on my toes and heels. Took a mile walk the other day and legs didn’t feel heavy, just out of shape. My breath has gotten a little bit shorter, but not sure if that’s due to no exercise over the winter or the stress of all this.
I have been a Type 1 diabetic since 1967 with good control and no complications to date. But I fully realize that after 47 years of diabetes Neuropathy could set in and possibly attribute to some of the issues I’m having. Based on the one EMG I’ve had there was indeed a diagnosis of Ulnar Neuropathy at the elbow. The Neurologist also indicated I have Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in that left hand I’m having issues with (misdiagnosed possibly?). He took a look at my throat and the muscles seemed normal. In my online research (I know… but I just had to!) I discovered that the following symptoms I have are symptoms of both ALS and either Peripheral or Motor Neuropathy: Fasciculations, Muscle Weakness, Cramping, Loss of Dexterity, Swallowing, Speech Impairment, Breathing, )though it’s only occasional shortness of breath) The tingling and numbness I have are symptomatic of Neuropathy, but not ALS. I’m totally stressed, and I know that stress can cause an increase of symptoms like fasciculations as it did last night as I couldn’t get this off my mind. If i can distract myself in other ways it's either not as active or as noticeable.
I have read a number of posts on here and value the input of many contributors. If you’re still reading this, my question would be the same as I Google for hope, and that is “Can I have multiple symptoms of ALS and still not have the disease?” Many of the symptoms I have point to it, some of the tests don’t. Is it still too early to tell? I’ve read a number of posts about the waiting game involved with all of this. Thank you in advance for your input.
I have been a Type 1 diabetic since 1967 with good control and no complications to date. But I fully realize that after 47 years of diabetes Neuropathy could set in and possibly attribute to some of the issues I’m having. Based on the one EMG I’ve had there was indeed a diagnosis of Ulnar Neuropathy at the elbow. The Neurologist also indicated I have Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in that left hand I’m having issues with (misdiagnosed possibly?). He took a look at my throat and the muscles seemed normal. In my online research (I know… but I just had to!) I discovered that the following symptoms I have are symptoms of both ALS and either Peripheral or Motor Neuropathy: Fasciculations, Muscle Weakness, Cramping, Loss of Dexterity, Swallowing, Speech Impairment, Breathing, )though it’s only occasional shortness of breath) The tingling and numbness I have are symptomatic of Neuropathy, but not ALS. I’m totally stressed, and I know that stress can cause an increase of symptoms like fasciculations as it did last night as I couldn’t get this off my mind. If i can distract myself in other ways it's either not as active or as noticeable.
I have read a number of posts on here and value the input of many contributors. If you’re still reading this, my question would be the same as I Google for hope, and that is “Can I have multiple symptoms of ALS and still not have the disease?” Many of the symptoms I have point to it, some of the tests don’t. Is it still too early to tell? I’ve read a number of posts about the waiting game involved with all of this. Thank you in advance for your input.