Dear all,
you have given me some encouraging advice last time I wrote, which i am so grateful for. I'm a little ashamed to be back, but things are just getting worse and worse, and I was hoping to get some insight on new symptoms that have crept up. In short my symptoms after 6 month when I last wrote were twitching (started in feet, still there non-stop, now also in many other places), problems with right ankle (I can do everything, but there is a big dent and it feels like there's a sprain, which is making it hard to walk), very pronounced atrophy of left thenar muscle.
My NEW symptoms are:
- weakness of left hand where the atrophy is. Again, I can still do everything, but my hand shakes when typing and there's a feeling as if it's waking up after being asleep. I get frequent pains (cramps?) in my palm too.
- diaphragm twitchíng? It is pounding and pounding and feels like I've been punched in the stomach, very heavy. My stomach muscles have also been twitching for 2 months straight, sometimes also my chest muscles.
- for 3 weeks now I've been getting spasms between chest and throat, actually it's painful all the time, I'm not sure it's related to swallowing, but definitely think it's my oesophagus. Awaiting and endoscopy in May.
So now I'm very worried these upper body issues are all the result of a weak diaphragm, wich, combined with the twitching, the atrophy, the bad ankle and the weak hand, make me think; how can it not be ALS? Do these diaphragm / oesophagus symptoms sound characteristic? I'm very concerned..
I've been waiting for a neuro appointment to follow up after my EMG for ages, it's scheduled for next week. I basically wanted to ask the details of it. There was activity, but the neuro said 'If it was ALS, there would be more going on'. I found that reassuring, however all this new stuff has come up since, and now I'm feeling insecure, especially as no muscle was silent when EMG'd.
I know I should be patient and wait for the appointment, but if someone could find the time to comment on those diaphragm and chest issues I would be so so grateful.
Sorry, this was probably all over the place.. Thank you for reading and all the very best to you!
Annie
you have given me some encouraging advice last time I wrote, which i am so grateful for. I'm a little ashamed to be back, but things are just getting worse and worse, and I was hoping to get some insight on new symptoms that have crept up. In short my symptoms after 6 month when I last wrote were twitching (started in feet, still there non-stop, now also in many other places), problems with right ankle (I can do everything, but there is a big dent and it feels like there's a sprain, which is making it hard to walk), very pronounced atrophy of left thenar muscle.
My NEW symptoms are:
- weakness of left hand where the atrophy is. Again, I can still do everything, but my hand shakes when typing and there's a feeling as if it's waking up after being asleep. I get frequent pains (cramps?) in my palm too.
- diaphragm twitchíng? It is pounding and pounding and feels like I've been punched in the stomach, very heavy. My stomach muscles have also been twitching for 2 months straight, sometimes also my chest muscles.
- for 3 weeks now I've been getting spasms between chest and throat, actually it's painful all the time, I'm not sure it's related to swallowing, but definitely think it's my oesophagus. Awaiting and endoscopy in May.
So now I'm very worried these upper body issues are all the result of a weak diaphragm, wich, combined with the twitching, the atrophy, the bad ankle and the weak hand, make me think; how can it not be ALS? Do these diaphragm / oesophagus symptoms sound characteristic? I'm very concerned..
I've been waiting for a neuro appointment to follow up after my EMG for ages, it's scheduled for next week. I basically wanted to ask the details of it. There was activity, but the neuro said 'If it was ALS, there would be more going on'. I found that reassuring, however all this new stuff has come up since, and now I'm feeling insecure, especially as no muscle was silent when EMG'd.
I know I should be patient and wait for the appointment, but if someone could find the time to comment on those diaphragm and chest issues I would be so so grateful.
Sorry, this was probably all over the place.. Thank you for reading and all the very best to you!
Annie