malibu
New member
- Joined
- May 2, 2018
- Messages
- 2
- Reason
- Learn about ALS
- Country
- US
- State
- Ma
- City
- Boston
Hi all....First of all, I would like to thank all of you who take the time to respond to the many people like myself and provide information. Having lurked on this site for quite sometime, I thought I would post some things that I have been noticing and get some of your feedback.
I am 45 and a male. About 2 years ago, I noticed pain in my left heel while doing yoga. Almost like the nerve was getting ripped. Several months passed and then the pain was gone. the lower outer portion of my left heel became permanently numb. Had some X-rays done and was chalked up as surreal nerve entrapment.
Simultaneously, i started losing some strength in the leg, and noticed some variation in the feeling of the left foot when I walked. For example, on doing calf raises, I could do 10 easily on the right leg, but on the left, i really struggled. The feeling in my gait was never something like scraping my toe or tripping, etc. But I noticed things like my left flip flop would feel a little looser.
Anyways, some time goes by and things seems to get better with my left foot.
I've had 2 neuro exams and visits sometime in 2017. Observational exam was fine and no issues there. Had an NCV done on the left leg and no issues. I was too freaked out to do an EMG, because I thought the pain would be way to much. Neuro prescribes 300 mg Gabapentin and off I go.
Then, starting in the fall of 2017, I start to notice the same feelings in the right leg. Not as bad of the feeling of ripping nerves, but same location in outer heel. This area also goes numb eventually. Subsequently, I start noticing pain/weakness/intolerance in walking long distances. My right leg gets tired more easily, the anterior tibias muscle gets sore and I become annoyed and paranoid.
I should also note that I have always had incredible balance. Presently in my left leg, I can balance on one leg for over a minute. on the right, where the current issue is, I can balance for also one minute, but it takes a moment to fixate the balance and the foot works hard to maintain the balance. Also, about 30 seconds into the one leg stand, I notice the calf, hamstrings, and flutes start to get sore as possibly a way of overcompensating for foot/ankle weakness.
I noticed fascinations starting last October in both calves after exercise. I have upped my Gabapentin dose, and it seems to help the twitches. The twitches are only in the lower legs, and now it it only the right leg with the fasciculations.
I ski all winter, and this winter, even though i was experiencing issues with the right foot, I had no problems skiing hard every weekend. However, I was just over on business in Asia, and when walking the long distances in the airports, I just became exhausted and muscles were tired. There is some, but very very slight muscle loss in right leg, but nothing that you would notice unless I pointed it out to you. I have another Nuero meeting tomorrow and this time would like a EMG done on both legs. Curious to see what he says.
I think it is important to note that I am an alcoholic....probably 10-12 drinks 4+ days a week and have been one for some time. I've been trying to quit for some time, and if you've been there, you know how hard it is. Part of me wants to believe this is alcoholic neuropathy, but it's not the complete lineup of symptoms that alcoholic neuropathy has. The other part, when I play Dr. Google has me always coming back here and comparing every symptom I have and thinking ALS.
Obviously I'm concerned and would like your advice and kind insight.
I am 45 and a male. About 2 years ago, I noticed pain in my left heel while doing yoga. Almost like the nerve was getting ripped. Several months passed and then the pain was gone. the lower outer portion of my left heel became permanently numb. Had some X-rays done and was chalked up as surreal nerve entrapment.
Simultaneously, i started losing some strength in the leg, and noticed some variation in the feeling of the left foot when I walked. For example, on doing calf raises, I could do 10 easily on the right leg, but on the left, i really struggled. The feeling in my gait was never something like scraping my toe or tripping, etc. But I noticed things like my left flip flop would feel a little looser.
Anyways, some time goes by and things seems to get better with my left foot.
I've had 2 neuro exams and visits sometime in 2017. Observational exam was fine and no issues there. Had an NCV done on the left leg and no issues. I was too freaked out to do an EMG, because I thought the pain would be way to much. Neuro prescribes 300 mg Gabapentin and off I go.
Then, starting in the fall of 2017, I start to notice the same feelings in the right leg. Not as bad of the feeling of ripping nerves, but same location in outer heel. This area also goes numb eventually. Subsequently, I start noticing pain/weakness/intolerance in walking long distances. My right leg gets tired more easily, the anterior tibias muscle gets sore and I become annoyed and paranoid.
I should also note that I have always had incredible balance. Presently in my left leg, I can balance on one leg for over a minute. on the right, where the current issue is, I can balance for also one minute, but it takes a moment to fixate the balance and the foot works hard to maintain the balance. Also, about 30 seconds into the one leg stand, I notice the calf, hamstrings, and flutes start to get sore as possibly a way of overcompensating for foot/ankle weakness.
I noticed fascinations starting last October in both calves after exercise. I have upped my Gabapentin dose, and it seems to help the twitches. The twitches are only in the lower legs, and now it it only the right leg with the fasciculations.
I ski all winter, and this winter, even though i was experiencing issues with the right foot, I had no problems skiing hard every weekend. However, I was just over on business in Asia, and when walking the long distances in the airports, I just became exhausted and muscles were tired. There is some, but very very slight muscle loss in right leg, but nothing that you would notice unless I pointed it out to you. I have another Nuero meeting tomorrow and this time would like a EMG done on both legs. Curious to see what he says.
I think it is important to note that I am an alcoholic....probably 10-12 drinks 4+ days a week and have been one for some time. I've been trying to quit for some time, and if you've been there, you know how hard it is. Part of me wants to believe this is alcoholic neuropathy, but it's not the complete lineup of symptoms that alcoholic neuropathy has. The other part, when I play Dr. Google has me always coming back here and comparing every symptom I have and thinking ALS.
Obviously I'm concerned and would like your advice and kind insight.
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