Status
Not open for further replies.

Momoftwo81

New member
Joined
Jun 22, 2014
Messages
3
Reason
Learn about ALS
Country
US
State
Nj
City
Berlin
Hi everyone, I have been reading these threads for over a month but finally decided to join today. I have read all the sticky notes and they make me feel better but I'm still suffering from panic attacks over the thought of having als almost daily. My symptoms started about two months ago. I would wake in the middle of the night with my arms/hands asleep. This then turned into pain when raising my arms. Since then the pain is pretty much in my right upper arm only. Then, my upper left arm had a twitch for about five days. I googled this symptom and low and behold, found links to als. Then I could feel these twitches all over my body. Ankles, calfs, legs, arms, eyelid. I notice them only when my body is at rest and they disappear when I move the muscle. They don't interfere with my sleep or wake me up. I also just noticed a few days ago that my right upper arm muscle is smaller than my left which is odd cause I'm right handed. Is this atrophy or normal? I don't see any dents. Also, I have no weakness anywhere which I know is a good sign. Just pain in my right arm which subsides with Motrin or a muscle relaxer. I guess the twitching is making me freak out. I just don't know what to do anymore. My husband thinks I'm nuts. What do y'all think? Btw, I'm a 32 year old female. Thanks and God bless you.
 
You aren't nuts but I seriously don't think you have to worry at all about it being ALS. It is so rare. I think alot of your symptoms could be linked to stress or anxiety issues. Please don't google your symptoms because it will just freak you out unnecessarily. Try to relax as much as possible and gi ve your primary physician a call. Good luck to you.
 
Thanks for your response. What are your thoughts on my right arm muscle being smaller than the left? Before I noticed this, I did see my primary and he thought the twitching was stress and the arm pain was carpel tunnel. Can't get this out of head. My arm is twitching where I believe the muscle to be smaller. This is also the arm where I have this pain. Ugh, my anxiety is threw the roof. I'm terrified.
 
BE CAREFUL about carpel tunnel....my primary thought so also....hand surgeon did tests and said no, there is something else going on here and sent me to neuro....I have seen PALS that had carpel tunnel and cubical tunnel done to no avail...
 
I've mentioned this before to folks who are worried. Excessive twitching can be brought on by worrying about having a fatal disease (obviously stress)! Also, ALS is painless, your arm pain must be something else. And numbness or tingling is not a symptom of ALS. The fact that you're a 32 year old female would make your chances of having this already extremely rare disease even more rare. Listen to your doctor and your husband and stop worrying! You're not helping yourself.
 
>Can't get this out of head. My arm is twitching where I believe the muscle to be smaller. This is also the arm where I have this pain. Ugh, my anxiety is threw the roof.

Talk to another pcp and go to a neuro who studied under an ALS clinical specialist. Nancy is right: Listen to your doctor and your husband and stop worrying! You're not helping yourself.
 
I know that stress and anxiety can bring on twitching. I'm also completely aware that I'm suffering from health anxiety. I just can't seem to stop. I do have an appt with a neuro scheduled for the 30th for "peace of mind". Hoping it will go well and he will tell me there is no need to worry about this. I can contribute the arm pain to a pinched nerve (I sleep on my arms and that's when this pain started to wake me at night), the twitching to stress/anxiety, but I'm having trouble with the difference in arm muscle from right to left. The difference is not visible with the eyes, just to touch. Maybe I don't understand atrophy? Again, no weakness which I know is good. I'm so sorry to post on here but this forum has been very informative to me. Thanks for all replies and God bless.
 
Perhaps you should find an anxiety forum.
 
Finding an anxiety forum to stress out at whilst waiting for your neuro appointment is an excellent idea.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
rats, my post went to mod ... wait for it ...
 
I know that stress and anxiety can bring on twitching. I'm also completely aware that I'm suffering from health anxiety. I just can't seem to stop. I do have an appt with a neuro scheduled for the 30th for "peace of mind". Hoping it will go well and he will tell me there is no need to worry about this. I can contribute the arm pain to a pinched nerve (I sleep on my arms and that's when this pain started to wake me at night), the twitching to stress/anxiety, but I'm having trouble with the difference in arm muscle from right to left. The difference is not visible with the eyes, just to touch. Maybe I don't understand atrophy? Again, no weakness which I know is good. I'm so sorry to post on here but this forum has been very informative to me. Thanks for all replies and God bless.

Good. If he says no ALS, then leave it at that. Make sure he or she evaluates the muscle differences clinically. Ask all quetions you have. I would suggest writing them down. Don't be afraid to be pushy and demanding concerning your questions. I do not think you have ALS. When I took mom, it was completely obvious to me and others that something was terribly wrong with her and was getting worse.
 
Good. If he says no ALS, then leave it at that. Make sure he or she evaluates the muscle differences clinically. Ask all quetions you have. I would suggest writing them down. Don't be afraid to be pushy and demanding concerning your questions. I do not think you have ALS. When I took mom, it was completely obvious to me and others that something was terribly wrong with her and was getting worse.

I think so Gilwest is completely right and you don need to worry so much. Relax ! and best of Luck ....
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top