Losing it Again! Really Scared. Please Help

[generoberts50]

Can This Be ALS

Hello,

First of all let me start of by saying that I am very sorry that any of are dealing with this disease. Whether you are a family member, a friend, a caregiver or a PAL, my deepest love and sympathy go out to all of you! I pray for a world without ALS!

I read the sticky’s, but I also found other conflicting into on the forum and other places online. So here it goes:
I am 29 years old and recently had some symptoms that can be attributed to stress and anxiety, but perhaps also ALS. Needless is to say that I am terrified and in search for some advice.

I started with an eye twitching 5 months ago (first my left eye and then my right eye) I googled what twitches can mean and BOOM! ALS pooped out! Since then, I have become a nerve wreck. For the most part I ignored it and stayed off the internet. The twitches went away and I went on with my life.
However, last month I felt another twitch in my left tricep. And I went downhill again! Last month I also felt my left arm tingling and going numb. Then last week I experienced some twitching in both my left and right calf's and quads (mostly my left leg). Lastly, I have been burping a lot! Like a lot maybe 50 times a day or something like that.
I don't feel any weakness and to my knowledge I do not feel any problems in my swallowing and I have not slurred any words, (that I know off) I essentially talk for a living, so I am sure someone would have pointed it out by now.

Again my deepest sentiments go out to ALL OF YOU! I am sorry for reaching out and asking such a strange question, but this fear is so devastating that I don't know what else to do.

I did go to my Dr. and they didn't seem worried. However, they didn't order any other test or anything else. They say that due to my age and the lack of other symptoms ALS is very unlikely. But they did NOT test anything! NO reflexes no blood work nothing. They just said that it is stress. I want to believe them, but given that they just said that without running tests makes me feel uneasy.
My questions are the following:
Does this sound remotely familiar to what any of you have experienced with ALS?
Can excessive burping be a very early symptom of Bulbar Onset? (Sorry, I know this may sound ridiculous)

Again I really hope, I am not offending any of you in anyway. This is not my intention at all.
I am a young parent that felt these symptoms and I am just scared. I hope you can help. Thank you and god bless

 

[affected]

Re: Please Help

Hon we put a lot of effort into the stickies, they are our official position, no matter what else you read anywhere.

Good luck, burping is not ALS, not ever.

 

[generoberts50]

Re: Please Help

Thank you AND AGAIN I am really sorry if I offended anyone. That was not my intention. Thank you for the reply.

 

[KimT]

Re: Please Help

Nothing you posted sounds like ALS! I'm happy for you.

 

[generoberts50]

Hello All,

Firstly, I would like to once again say that; I truly appreciate everyone here. After learning about this disease, I haven't stopped wishing for the day in which the disease is cured. This is my second posts. I will make it quick.

Age 29
Weakness: No


Symtoms:
Twitching for the past month (mostly in my left calf, left tricep and occasionally right calf and rights quads and sholders sometimes when I go to sleep I feel my left foot also twitch) These twitches are mostly very faint not visible. (Not sure if this was related but 5 months ago, my left eye and right eye both twitched for like 3 days) It stopped and I didn't feel anything until last month when the twitches came back.

Buzzing/Tingling(Maybe twitching) Sometimes, I feel part of my lip quiver. I feel a tingling sensation in my head and a tingling or slight buzz right in between the bottom of my lip and chin.

Throat:
I just started feeling this a week ago or so, I think it's called "globus" or something like that. But I feel like I have a giant piece of saliva in the back of my throat and I can't swallow it. I can drink and eat without any issues. However, I do notice that after I drink water and tend to sneeze after (I read somewhere that this can be a neurological sign) "nasal regurgitation". When I talk, I also feel more winded that I usually do and I notice that I burp a lot more than usual (after drinking and after talking.) To my knowledge, I have not slurred any words.

I have seen my Dr. they ran some bloodwork and everything came back fine. No nutritional deficiencies found. I am in the process of requesting a referral to see a specialist.

I know that since finding about ALS on the net, my anxiety has been off the charts. I try not to think about this at all, but I cannot ignore my symptoms. I really feel them. They are real.

Can anyone please help me. I am particularly afraid of Bulbar onset. Does any of what I described, sound like anything any of you have experienced?

What would you recommend for me to do at this point. I am a young father and this fear is taking over my life. I don't mean to bother anyone, I just really need some advice. Please. Please and thank you all.

 

[lgelb]

Gene,
My bet is you had some twitches and your anxiety, possibly aided by allergies and/or an electrolyte imbalance, is feeding the rest. Follow through w/ the neuro appt. if it makes you feel better, but stay off health sites meanwhile. Try magnesium lotion on your major twitch spot. Drink a mango smoothie, take a tai chi class and visit a nursing home for perspective. Eat more slowly and go to bed earlier. I predict you will feel better soon.

Best,
Laurie

 

[generoberts50]

Gene,
My bet is you had some twitches and your anxiety, possibly aided by allergies and/or an electrolyte imbalance, is feeding the rest. Follow through w/ the neuro appt. if it makes you feel better, but stay off health sites meanwhile. Try magnesium lotion on your major twitch spot. Drink a mango smoothie, take a tai chi class and visit a nursing home for perspective. Eat more slowly and go to bed earlier. I predict you will feel better soon.

Best,
Laurie

Thank you so much. I really appreciate everyone here. I know that I will be a different person from now on and I will do my best to help others as well. I appreciate your comment.

 

[generoberts50]

If anyone else can please offer their opinions that would be greatly appreciated! Thanks so much!

 

[Lixen]

My opinion:
0% ALS
110% Health Anxiety

Consider letting your family know how much this is affecting your life & seek counseling (preferably CBT) to learn how to manage your anxiety. It can be a life wrecker, no one doubts what you're feeling is real. ‎ In the meantime, steer clear of websites & forums dedicated to helping those suffering from debilitating and/or terminal illnesses.‎

*‎

 

[generoberts50]

Lixen thank you so much for your post.

 

[generoberts50]

My opinion:
0% ALS
110% Health Anxiety

Consider letting your family know how much this is affecting your life & seek counseling (preferably CBT) to learn how to manage your anxiety. It can be a life wrecker, no one doubts what you're feeling is real. ‎ In the meantime, steer clear of websites & forums dedicated to helping those suffering from debilitating and/or terminal illnesses.‎

*‎

Lixen thank you so much for your post. I will definitely follow up with my Dr. About my anxiety. I haven't spoken to anyone, not a soul, especially not my family. I don't want to worry them. I've been blaming my current mood on work, and I've been holding all these thoughts and fears to myself. It is so hard! Taking to someone like you guys even if it's via this forum has really helped me.

I know that many of you have been through things that I cannot even comprehend and I feel horrible for taking your time for something that (from afar) can seem so trivial. It's such a conflicting feeling, I feel horrible for posting, but I also feel that if I don't talk to someone I will go mad!

Thank thank thank you so much for your reply. I will talk to my family, I will look for help to conquer my anxiety and I will do my best to stay away. Again thank you.

 

[affected]

Age 29
Weakness: No

ALS? NO

SYMPTOMS - twitching, buzzing, globus - NOT ALS

Advice - get to a good psychologist and get your mental health sorted, this is very debilitating for you and your family. Get your wife involved, and listen to what you are advised by professionals and the ones who love you. Lastly - stay off here no matter what.

 

[generoberts50]

Advice - get to a good psychologist and get your mental health sorted, this is very debilitating for you and your family. Get your wife involved, and listen to what you are advised by professionals and the ones who love you. Lastly - stay off here no matter what.

Thank you Tillie. Will do.