Concerned possible ALS?

[Rmmcd2]

Hi all, thank you for all taking the time to read this and any possible advice would be so appreciated.

I'm a 23 year old female (so realise that chances are very low). The symptoms started as a shaking in my little finger and ring finger, and just a feeling that something was off with shooting, aching pains in my fingers, lower arms and wrists. I also had fasticulations and twitching all over my body. The feeling then spread to my right foot, which felt odd to walk on, and also experienced pain from the foot to the top of my thigh.

I now have a prominent tremor in both my hands. The strange feeling in my foot has subsided but comes back occasionally. The feeling has also spread to the palm of my hands and thumb. Thumb shakes a lot. There is now an awful burning in my upper arms and whenever I do a slight movement it burns (I.e writing, holding a cup) . I can still do these actions it just burns to do it and I feels like I've used my muscles for a while rather than a few minutes. I also have the feeling that both my arms don't belong to me, and that my body forgets what to do with them when one or the other arm is being used. I.e when I'm brushing my teeth my left arm doesn't know what to do. I can still do normal actions, but they feel strange and separate from my body.

There is also a constant ache, burn, tension and pain in my upper arms and lower neck regardless of whether they are being used.
The fasticulations are under my skin and are just annoying and uncomfortable. Sometimes a whole arm or leg or finger will move of its own accord.

Have been through quite a stressful period of my life, so if this is due to stress and anxiety then I wouldn't be surprised. But what is causing most my anxiety is the worry about what this could be?

I've been the doctor and he said he's not too worried because there are so many symptoms they don't add up to a pattern. But he's referred me to a neurologist to get a second opinion. Appointment is in 12 weeks.

 

[starente15]

It sounds like you have something going on so it's good you have an appointment scheduled. What you describe does not sound at like ALS.

 

[FamilialALS?]

Not one ALS symptom described in your post. Good luck to you in finding a cause, it does sound like stress related symptoms.

 

[Rmmcd2]

Thank you guys, really appreciate the replies.

 

[Rmmcd2]

Hi I respect that you said that there were no ALS symptoms but my symptoms have got much worse. The twitching is worse than ever, and my head will twitch to the left of its own accord sometimes. I have completely lost all coordination and balance. I occasionally slightly misjudge the distance between, for example, putting the fork in my mouth and find it hard to judge the distance between my feet (especially my right foot) and the floor. I occasionally scuff my right toes on the floor and scuff my back heels and have to make a conscious effort to lift them. Note: for about two weeks this feeling in my foot did subside and then it got a lot worse.

I've also started to mix up and muddle my words, saying completely the wrong word in different sentences and also when I type I do this too. Being able to properly do my job is difficult because I have to communicate with people and often I'll miss out the beginning or ends of words or just say the wrong thing completely.

my fingers have started to swell slightly, my left little finger's joint is protruding and the tips of my middle fingers have bent to the right slightly.

I have a neurology appointment end of October but I am genuinely finding it difficult to live normally without being able to talk and walk as efficiently as usual. Mostly due to worry about what's causing it.

Would ALS present itself in this way at all? I've had a reflex test by the doctor and he said its normal. I've had a strength test done on my arms a while ago before the foot symptoms progressed which he said was fine. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you so much for your time.

 

[Nikki J]

This really does not seem like ALS. I understand the issue with getting appointments quickly with NHS specialists. While stress and hypervigilance can do very funny things you need to return to your gp for reevaluation. Carefully and concisely note your symptoms and timeline and be specific as to what you can not do. Do not say is this MND? Say what is wrong with me and what can you do to help me find out if the answer is not clear ( likely scenario)

 

[WendyWooG]

Hi
If you go back to your GP with the worsening symptoms sometimes the can put pressure on the system for you to be seen earlier. My GP is lovely and managed to reduce a three month wait to three weeks by pure constant nagging ;P
Has your GP given you any help to combat the stress side of things? Because that something that they could be doing in the meantime, it would be a good idea to rule it out anyway.
Wendy x

 

[Rmmcd2]

Thanks for your kind replies. I went back to the doctor today and he said I do need to be tested for MS. He said ALS is very unlikely because of my age but also because he said that it wouldn't have presented itself in such a myriad of ways, but understands that the twitching and weakness is worrying. Suggested phoning the neurology department to see if they had any cancellations and they miraculously have one on Monday!

 

[WendyWooG]

So glad you got a quicker appointment, good luck for Monday