mch1972
New member
- Joined
- Dec 23, 2015
- Messages
- 2
- Reason
- Learn about ALS
- Country
- US
- State
- Alaska
- City
- north
Hello,
This is my first post. I've read so much on this forum over the past couple of weeks, and I am impressed by the comradery, love, and professionalism here. I worry about my symptoms and am going in to see my PCP next Monday about my concern.
Here's a bit of my history: 43 year old male, veteran, moderately active.
JUNE
I began to lose muscle feeling in my left outer leg. I still have skin sensation but the deep muscle is numb. Docs had different possible ideas (pinched nerve, maralgia parasthesia, IT band syndrome...) The numb area has spread maybe a couple of centimeters since June.
JULY
After a run, my left leg on-and-around the muscle felt like it was a charlie horse on fire. I refrain from long runs now to avoid that pain. However, long walks can create this pain. I consider this a weakening of that muscle and am not as active. I favor my other leg and have a slight limp to my gait detectable only if you are looking for it.
SEPTEMBER
I began getting severe pain in my Coccyx area, but is resolved itself within the month. Some pain is in my upper back now though along and near the spine creating some muscle spasms of which I took relaxants and narcotics so I could get a decent night's rest.
OCTOBER
I began getting widespread fasciculations (legs, arms, shoulders, buttocks, back, eyelids, and cheek today for the first time). These are most common when I'm at rest. Usually right when I wake up in the morning and late in the evening I notice them every few minutes, sometimes none for 20 minutes, and sometimes 3 or 4 in a single minute. They usually last between one and eight small twitches. I read that I shouldn't worry about it too much and it will often resolve itself within a few weeks.
DECEMBER
Well, it's been two months now and I still have the fascics, the numb muscle, and painful back. My concern is the loss of nerve to the leg muscle combined with current constant fasciculations. It has prompted me to make an appointment with my PCP and have a full check up.
I have read that some PALS started with fascics, others with denervation, others with footdrop, so there doesn't seem to be a clear symptom progression. Many PALS testimonies contradict the Stickies post. I had my wife -who used to be in medical- do a reflex test and found that my reflexes were normal and I was negative for Babinski's. I can walk on heels and toes, push and pull against resistance, etc. but still the fascics worry me.
Does a negative Babinski's test rule out ALS?
What are some pointed questions I should ask my PCP?
Are my symptoms too early to start looking towards ALS?
I will respond with the doctor's findings next week.
Thank you so much!
This is my first post. I've read so much on this forum over the past couple of weeks, and I am impressed by the comradery, love, and professionalism here. I worry about my symptoms and am going in to see my PCP next Monday about my concern.
Here's a bit of my history: 43 year old male, veteran, moderately active.
JUNE
I began to lose muscle feeling in my left outer leg. I still have skin sensation but the deep muscle is numb. Docs had different possible ideas (pinched nerve, maralgia parasthesia, IT band syndrome...) The numb area has spread maybe a couple of centimeters since June.
JULY
After a run, my left leg on-and-around the muscle felt like it was a charlie horse on fire. I refrain from long runs now to avoid that pain. However, long walks can create this pain. I consider this a weakening of that muscle and am not as active. I favor my other leg and have a slight limp to my gait detectable only if you are looking for it.
SEPTEMBER
I began getting severe pain in my Coccyx area, but is resolved itself within the month. Some pain is in my upper back now though along and near the spine creating some muscle spasms of which I took relaxants and narcotics so I could get a decent night's rest.
OCTOBER
I began getting widespread fasciculations (legs, arms, shoulders, buttocks, back, eyelids, and cheek today for the first time). These are most common when I'm at rest. Usually right when I wake up in the morning and late in the evening I notice them every few minutes, sometimes none for 20 minutes, and sometimes 3 or 4 in a single minute. They usually last between one and eight small twitches. I read that I shouldn't worry about it too much and it will often resolve itself within a few weeks.
DECEMBER
Well, it's been two months now and I still have the fascics, the numb muscle, and painful back. My concern is the loss of nerve to the leg muscle combined with current constant fasciculations. It has prompted me to make an appointment with my PCP and have a full check up.
I have read that some PALS started with fascics, others with denervation, others with footdrop, so there doesn't seem to be a clear symptom progression. Many PALS testimonies contradict the Stickies post. I had my wife -who used to be in medical- do a reflex test and found that my reflexes were normal and I was negative for Babinski's. I can walk on heels and toes, push and pull against resistance, etc. but still the fascics worry me.
Does a negative Babinski's test rule out ALS?
What are some pointed questions I should ask my PCP?
Are my symptoms too early to start looking towards ALS?
I will respond with the doctor's findings next week.
Thank you so much!