Any help would be very much appreciated!

[bmm2006]

First off, Happy Memorial Day! A HUGE thanks to those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for our country!


Let me preface by admitting that I have discovered that I am a huge hypochondriac.

I was sick with a upper respiratory spell for a few weeks. Sore throat, terrible coughing, etc...All had pretty much gone away minus the lingering cough.

About 2-3 weeks ago, I woke up with my left eyelid twitching pretty rapidly and my legs feeling really sore. I had not been doing any workouts of any kind, so this was weird to me. I also felt extremely shaky and jittery. As in my whole body. If i laid my arm down on an arm rest, and raised my pointer and middle finger up, they would and till are shaking/tremor very noticeably. This is on my right side and left. Seems to be more prevalent on my right side.I initially thought it was just from mixing cold medicines with caffeine and made some weird side effects. I cut out all meds and caffeine for about a week, I had not slept well the night before, so I'm thinking this could be the case. fast forward, symptoms Still persists.


Along with these symptoms, I also started to have a severely stiff neck. To the point where it felt like it was difficult to hold my head up. Ended up going to the ER last Friday, for all of these symptoms. Ran some standard blood work tests and did a CT scan of my head and a chest X-ray. All come back normal.


Saw my regular doctor the following Thursday, this past Thursday to be exact for the same symptoms. She asked some basic questions and did an EKG, which was normal. She did a reflex test on my legs, and they were diminished. As in, my right side didn't budge when she tapped it. My left side, moved a little. She ordered another round of blood work, which majority of all has come back clean. Waiting for 2 more results tomorrow and our follow up.

Now, within the last few days, my right leg feels SUPER weak and heavy Back of leg, above the heel and below the calf, feel extra stiff.. I am also have twitching in the right leg and calf, but also all over. Left leg, right arm, right thigh, both eyelids, lower left lip, etc...I also am having a tingling feeling in my right leg/foot a few times during the day.

Being the huge hypochondriac that I am, I immediately start googling and cone across ALS.


I will add, that I can still walk across the room on my tip toes, and my heels. I can climb and go down stairs as well, but my legs, especially my right one, feels like jello afterwards.

As of this morning, I woke up and my right leg was EXTREMELY stiff and sore. Laid back down for a while, and got back up and walked around. My right leg then felt like it had the past few weeks, and not as bad that morning. I am also feeling weakness in my right arm, but I am still able to do pushups. (This is another way I have been testing my strengths.)


I am a soon to be 28 year old male, and I am losing many hours of sleep by all of this anxiety. My symptoms have been going on for over 3 weeks now.

Also, my mom, bless her heart, is just an older version of me. She has actually texted my regular doctor and had conversations as to what is going on. Over the messages, my doctor told her that she is concerned that something is wrong. She states she suspects MS, and does not think its ALS.


I will be at the doctor tomorrow for the rest of the follow up, and probably neurologist referral.


Any input would be greatly appreciated. I apologize for the long post.

Best regards,
BMM

 

[Atsugi]

Lots of feelings going on there, BMM. Feeling weak, sore, stiff, jello.

We say ALS is about failing, not feeling. A muscle, typically one hand muscle, will fail to work. It won't contract. Note that it does not feel weak, it just is weak. It doesn't feel sore or anything at all. It just doesn't work.

Also, once a muscle is weakened by ALS, it does not get better the next day, it doesn't get stronger after resting up. It's gone forever.

So you're good to go as far as ALS is concerned. Whatever your doctor tells you tomorrow, it won't be terminal.

 

[bmm2006]

Thank you so much for the quick reply. I have read quite a few posts on here and everyone seems to be so willingly to help and shed some knowledge. I hate that my mind is running rampant with all of these thoughts, and I never realized how bad my anxiety was until now. Again, thank you for the help!

 

[bmm2006]

Looking for some input...

This will be my 2nd post here. Give you some background on what's going on. About 6 weeks ago, I started to have soreness in both legs. I could still take stairs and walk, etc...But my legs literally felt like lead. Since that time, the soreness/weakness has spread to mainly my right side of my body. My right arm and right legs have the feeling of muscle soreness every day. I am still able to walk on my tiptoes, do pushups, etc..But I can feel it in my right side the "burn" of it being sore. During this 6 week period, I have also had twitching all over my body. Both calfs, eyelid, thigh, shoulder, arm, lower lip[ etc...As well has body shakiness on both sides when getting out if bed, laying or sitting down, etc...

What has me worried now is whatever is going on with my speech and face, The left side of my face/throat/tongue has been numb/tight feeling for about 3 weeks now. And within in the last week or so, it feels like my tongue is too big for my mouth and I can hear myself slurring words. I have asked others, and they say I sound fine and normal, but I have convinced myself otherwise. An example of this would be when the other day I was trying to say "She's saying " and it came like "She's SHAYing"...This is the type of things I am picking up. It has happened quite a few times a day for the last week or so. I have also had a "cough" for about 8 weeks now that has yet to seem to go away. And, I also feel like it is harder to breathe. I can still take deep breaths and inhale and exhale, but it feels slower, like someone is sitting on your chest.

I can still move my tongue up down, left to right, and am also able to tent my cheeks.

I have seen two different nuero's, both of which have said my strength and reflexes are fine. Both of looked at my tongue, (very briefly) and said it also looks normal. At the time of the first neuro appointment, I had not had any speech issues.


I have had brain and spinal MRI's, TONS of blood and urine work, chesy x-ray, all of which has came back normal



Went to an different GP earlier this week, and she has referred me to a different neuro for a 4 limb EMG, because when she tested my patellar reflexes, they were completely absent.

My question is, with what I have going on with my speech and facial numbness, should I also ask for an EMG of that area?


I am a 28 year old male with no major past medical issues.


Any help or insight would be greatly appreciated. I know you all see people all the time who have worried themselves sick, and I know your time and insight are very valuable.

 

[bmm2006]

Re: Looking for some input...

Forgot to add, that the first neuro did an EMG on my right leg and lower back area. I have yet to receive the official results, but he said everything looked "good" to him and he would forward the results to mu neuro. I got a chance to look at the "results screen", and all said normal except in my quad area. I saw some responses that said "slight increase..." and one that said "slight decrease..." I know that's VERY vague, but all I have at the moment to go on until I receive the actual results.

 

[GregK]

Re: Looking for some input...

This will be my 2nd post here

Indeed it is. I merged your two threads.
Please stay in this one.

 

[bmm2006]

Thank you. I am sorry for the double post, I searched for it, but I missed it. I will make sure to stay in this one.

 

[bmm2006]

Side note. I just donated and will make sure I spread the word the best I can. Thank you again for any responses. You all truly show the utmost respect and support to all those that ask questions.

 

[Nikki J]

Thanks for donating and promising to advocate.

Your questions / concerns. No one else notices a speech issue just you? Usually it is the other way with ALS. Others tell you first.

All the feelings you report are not what my bulbar relatives have told me.

If you feel you need a bulbar EMG ( I don't know that you need any EMG from what you said) you should ask the doctor who ordered the EMG to add it to the order. If you are just seeing the EMG dr to do the procedure s/he won't/ can't just add things

You were told the emg looked good. If there were any significant findings you would not have been told that. I also can't think of any findings in this context where slightly increased or decreased would be tied to anything worrisome at all. Anyway it sounds like it was some computer program interpretation and is likely really normal just minusculely out of the set parameters

 

[bmm2006]

Thank you for the reply Nikki!

Would the EMG of the limbs also indicate something wrong with the bulbar region as well?

I know with my age, any onset, especially bulbar, is highly unlikely.


I am doing my best to control my anxiety about it, but every time I clear my throat, cough, or trouble swallowing, my mind goes in a million different questions.


I have never been one to "wait" for answers. And I have quickly learned, that seeing a medical specialist, like a neuro, takes time.

I did manage to score my ENT apt for this Monday, and my EMG test will be this Wednesday.


Thanks again,
BMM

 

[Nikki J]

Often people with purely bulbar symptoms show abnormailities in the limbs. However if you have supposed limb symptoms and supposed bulbar symptoms there is NO reason to EMG everywhere. The chances of you having limb symptoms caused by something else and bulbar onset coincidentally are virtually non existent and add in your age and the scenario is utterly absurd!

Please only post back after you have all your test results. Thank you

 

[bmm2006]

Update!

I have seen two Neurologist's and have had 2 EMG's. Both EMG's came back normal from each Neuro. The first one of my right leg, and the 2nd one was of my right leg and right arm. This was good news, of course. The Neuro I saw at ECU Neurology, said is conclusion was "No neurological damage." He stated it sounded like a mix of post-viral and anxiety. The anxiety part, I can very much agree with.

My PCP, ran a test for lime disease. Which came back negative. I did have some IGG proteins present, which I am currently on an antibiotic for.

As of today, muscle soreness/weakness is still there, but as bad and has its better days.

My main issue that I am seeing right now, is the body-wide shakiness I am still having everyday when standing,walking, getting up, etc..Along with that, I have some breathing difficulties. I can breathe deeply in and out, but with normal breathing during the nose, it feels as if something is sitting on my chest. I yawn and sigh frequently all day long. I still here some speech issues, but no one has asked me if I'm drunk or anything like that.

I also saw an ENT, who I was not very happy with. He was with me for all of about 10 minutes. He looked in/at my nose, and my moth/throat. He stated that I have a slight deviated septum and possible acid reflux. Gave me some nasal spray for my nasal congestion, (Which I've had for 2 months now) and some nexium and sent me on my way.


I have done a lot better job at remaining off the "google doctor" websites to help control my anxiety. But with this breathing issue/difficulty, it's becoming a bit of a struggle again. But, I am still trying!


I keep telling myself that with the normal EMG's and strength tests, that I am fine. I am following back up with my PCP tomorrow, and make an an apt to see what is going on with my breathing.

Anyone have any thoughts? I am also in the process of trying to see someone about my health/illness anxiety.




I hope everyone is doing well and Happy 4th to all!


Thanks,
-Brent

 

[affected]

What wonderful news - TWO neurologists have cleared you of ALS!

Everything you describe is caused by anxiety - you don't have ALS symptoms, you believe you do, then your body reacts to the anxiety and you see it as a further proof that you really do have ALS.

Those of us who are actually dealing with the terminal disease know that what you describe is NOTHING LIKE ALS.

Please join this site and use it from now to discuss your health issues as it is designed to help people with what you have. We have to work with those dealing with ALS.
http://www.anxietyzone.com/


All the best