rockyman01
New member
- Joined
- Jan 31, 2019
- Messages
- 9
- Reason
- Learn about ALS
- Diagnosis
- 00/0000
- Country
- CA
- State
- AB
- City
- Canada
Hello,
I've been reading this forum for a few weeks now and I've held back from posting my symptoms but it seems to be progressing so I'm more anxious.
I'm 28 year old male and I'm extremely worried that I might have early symptoms of Bulbar or Limb onset ALS. It all started about 7 months ago with severe twitching in my groin area for about a month. After that, I started having sharp stabbing pains all over my body (like someone was cutting me with tiny blades), burning feet, and feeling of ants walking on my skin and head and constant twitching that episode lasted for about 3 weeks. Then I just had constant twitching all over body including muscles I never knew existed with no weakness for months and intermittent fatigue then recently new symptoms started to appear.
Now, I have a feeling of tightness around my neck and when I eat or drink, it feels like there's a lump in there but I can still swallow but my throat feels fuller after eating. My neck and shoulder are also weaker because they ache when in standing position for more than 10 minutes and I also have sharp pain on the right side of my neck when I tilt my head forwards. I also stumble on my words occasionally (not sure because I'm anxious and always watching my words to check if I'm slurring). The fingers in both my hands also seem to tire quicker than before, like it moves a tad bit slower after been used for a bit, for example typing (spasticity?). They also feel slightly weaker when I wakeup in the morning but normal during the day. I also have frequent palpitations.
The most scary bit is a few weeks ago, I have a feeling of tightness in my lower left leg (calf to ankle) but recently I noticed the calf in left leg is smaller than the right leg (1/2 inch), the right also seems to have fuller muscles, I also have slight weakness / pain in my knee but I can still do the same leg strength training like usual but I can feel the awkward tightness there when I walk (asymmetry?) I also have a constant ache in that thigh for a few days now.
I spoke to a neuro over the phone and he said it doesn't sound like ALS, but likely a issue with my cervical and lumbar spines. I've also seen my family doctor and she did some strength tests, did some blood work (CK: 283, Creatine: 133), heart tracing (for palpitations) and she said it's just anxiety not ALS but wanted me to see an Internist about my elevated kidney function. She referred be to a CBT therapist, Internist and Neurologist to ease my anxiety (2 months out: debating getting on Xanax to cope until then).
My symptoms and elevated CK is having me worried. Is it possible for a muscle to atrophy by 1/2 inch with no major weakness? Does Bulbar onset start this way (mild weakness in neck)? Lastly is it possible to have both early Bulbar & Limb onset like this affecting multiple areas at the same time? I know ALS is about failing not feeling but I'm just anxious about the early symptoms because this is a progressive disease.
Thanks in advance
I've been reading this forum for a few weeks now and I've held back from posting my symptoms but it seems to be progressing so I'm more anxious.
I'm 28 year old male and I'm extremely worried that I might have early symptoms of Bulbar or Limb onset ALS. It all started about 7 months ago with severe twitching in my groin area for about a month. After that, I started having sharp stabbing pains all over my body (like someone was cutting me with tiny blades), burning feet, and feeling of ants walking on my skin and head and constant twitching that episode lasted for about 3 weeks. Then I just had constant twitching all over body including muscles I never knew existed with no weakness for months and intermittent fatigue then recently new symptoms started to appear.
Now, I have a feeling of tightness around my neck and when I eat or drink, it feels like there's a lump in there but I can still swallow but my throat feels fuller after eating. My neck and shoulder are also weaker because they ache when in standing position for more than 10 minutes and I also have sharp pain on the right side of my neck when I tilt my head forwards. I also stumble on my words occasionally (not sure because I'm anxious and always watching my words to check if I'm slurring). The fingers in both my hands also seem to tire quicker than before, like it moves a tad bit slower after been used for a bit, for example typing (spasticity?). They also feel slightly weaker when I wakeup in the morning but normal during the day. I also have frequent palpitations.
The most scary bit is a few weeks ago, I have a feeling of tightness in my lower left leg (calf to ankle) but recently I noticed the calf in left leg is smaller than the right leg (1/2 inch), the right also seems to have fuller muscles, I also have slight weakness / pain in my knee but I can still do the same leg strength training like usual but I can feel the awkward tightness there when I walk (asymmetry?) I also have a constant ache in that thigh for a few days now.
I spoke to a neuro over the phone and he said it doesn't sound like ALS, but likely a issue with my cervical and lumbar spines. I've also seen my family doctor and she did some strength tests, did some blood work (CK: 283, Creatine: 133), heart tracing (for palpitations) and she said it's just anxiety not ALS but wanted me to see an Internist about my elevated kidney function. She referred be to a CBT therapist, Internist and Neurologist to ease my anxiety (2 months out: debating getting on Xanax to cope until then).
My symptoms and elevated CK is having me worried. Is it possible for a muscle to atrophy by 1/2 inch with no major weakness? Does Bulbar onset start this way (mild weakness in neck)? Lastly is it possible to have both early Bulbar & Limb onset like this affecting multiple areas at the same time? I know ALS is about failing not feeling but I'm just anxious about the early symptoms because this is a progressive disease.
Thanks in advance