pacman1
New member
- Joined
- Oct 6, 2014
- Messages
- 8
- Reason
- Learn about ALS
- Country
- US
- State
- Ohio
- City
- Cleveland
Greetings,
I was wondering if my symptoms of abnormal arm fatigue and fasciculations, both of which are symptoms that ALSA mention as early symptoms of ALS, are consistent with those of a patient with ALS. I'm a 26 year old male about to get my masters in statistics on Saturday, !
I'll try to make my story succinct, but it may be tough...
I'll start with this (it may be unrelated), in December 2013 I saw a neurologist after recurring bouts of dizziness, cramps, tingling, and numbness. I had a brain MRI with contrast to check for MS and it came back clean. The symptoms later subsided and resurfaced a couple times since then. I realize these aren't symptoms of ALS but its a little background that may be useful.
In August I started getting random twitches throughout my entire body. Pretty much anywhere you could name I've had them. Some "hot spots" are the sides of my eyes, mouth area, and upper arms. A couple months later (beginning October) I noticed that my arms would get fatigued and burn when I woke up and checked my email/news laying bed after about 5 to 10 min. I have been doing this for a while and never noticed this. This continued for a bit with no other abnormalities. A few weeks after I started noticing that holding my phone while driving, typing for long periods of time, cooking, or sitting at a desk for a while caused bilateral proximal arm tiredness. It seems to be perfectly symmetrical across my upper body and no distal symptoms have appeared. This continues to this day and can be alleviated by some rest. I also notice (may be hyper awareness now that I am anxious about my health) my arm muscles get that feeling of soreness like I just worked out rather easily. For example when I push on them I feel pain but after some rest they feel better.
I fully understand that ALS is about muscles failing and not sensory issues but could my symptoms be due to other muscles failing and other ones picking up their slack? In the AboutBFS forums these are symptoms of BFS but they state that the fatigue goes away in a few day. Mine hasn't gone away in weeks.
Another bit of advice I am asking is that, I have set up an appointment with a neurologist at the Cleveland Clinic in a few weeks. Is there any advice you can give as to what I can ask or expect to help alleviate the anxiety I am experiencing over this?
This is a terrible disease and I feel for anyone who has it and is reading this message. I will be donating what I can to ALSA for your help on this issue, unless there is a more preferred charity. Thank you.
I was wondering if my symptoms of abnormal arm fatigue and fasciculations, both of which are symptoms that ALSA mention as early symptoms of ALS, are consistent with those of a patient with ALS. I'm a 26 year old male about to get my masters in statistics on Saturday, !
I'll try to make my story succinct, but it may be tough...
I'll start with this (it may be unrelated), in December 2013 I saw a neurologist after recurring bouts of dizziness, cramps, tingling, and numbness. I had a brain MRI with contrast to check for MS and it came back clean. The symptoms later subsided and resurfaced a couple times since then. I realize these aren't symptoms of ALS but its a little background that may be useful.
In August I started getting random twitches throughout my entire body. Pretty much anywhere you could name I've had them. Some "hot spots" are the sides of my eyes, mouth area, and upper arms. A couple months later (beginning October) I noticed that my arms would get fatigued and burn when I woke up and checked my email/news laying bed after about 5 to 10 min. I have been doing this for a while and never noticed this. This continued for a bit with no other abnormalities. A few weeks after I started noticing that holding my phone while driving, typing for long periods of time, cooking, or sitting at a desk for a while caused bilateral proximal arm tiredness. It seems to be perfectly symmetrical across my upper body and no distal symptoms have appeared. This continues to this day and can be alleviated by some rest. I also notice (may be hyper awareness now that I am anxious about my health) my arm muscles get that feeling of soreness like I just worked out rather easily. For example when I push on them I feel pain but after some rest they feel better.
I fully understand that ALS is about muscles failing and not sensory issues but could my symptoms be due to other muscles failing and other ones picking up their slack? In the AboutBFS forums these are symptoms of BFS but they state that the fatigue goes away in a few day. Mine hasn't gone away in weeks.
Another bit of advice I am asking is that, I have set up an appointment with a neurologist at the Cleveland Clinic in a few weeks. Is there any advice you can give as to what I can ask or expect to help alleviate the anxiety I am experiencing over this?
This is a terrible disease and I feel for anyone who has it and is reading this message. I will be donating what I can to ALSA for your help on this issue, unless there is a more preferred charity. Thank you.