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Willy99

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Hello to all. I am a 26 year old male and I have been dealing with my mystery illness for the past three months or so and my life has become consumed by fear and depression. After having a wisdom tooth extracted back in March, I collapsed at work a few days later and was hospitalized. Previously, I had been experiencing balance problems, headaches, photosensitivity and just not feeling right. The ER folks discharged me after a few hours and told me my white blood cell count was a little high so I should follow up with my GP, but that I was probably just dehydrated as a result of being overly cautious with my post-op wisdom tooth instructions. I pushed on despite not feeling right and saw my GP a few days later. She found nothing wrong after some clinical tests and wanted to run some additional blood work to check for deficencies. My B-12 levels were on the low side, but normal, and my white cell count was back to normal. Everything else was normal as well. Again, I pushed on but knew something didn't feel right. A few days later, I awoke with numbness in my left leg from the knee down. I went right to the ER and they ran an emergency MRI of my neck, C-spine, T-spine and brain all with and without contrast. They also gave me a lumbar puncture. An EMG was not run because after the 4-hour (!) MRI, my numbness had mostly subsided. I was then taken to my room and given a battery of clinical neurological tests, which were normal. After a day of observation, I was discharged after being seen by a team of neurologists who explained that all my tests were normal other than some aneurysmal bone cysts on my spine. They explained that my problem was most likely due to some kind of idiopathic neuropathy and that hopefully my residual symptoms would reside within a few months. This was not the case. A few weeks later I went to my follow up with my neurologist who repeated the tests and found nothing abnormal other than a slight intention tremor in my right hand. After seeing that I had recently taken cipro for another issue he told me that many people experience strange neurological symptoms even long after taking the drug. I was somewhat satisfied as my symptoms somewhat begun to clear up. Unfortunately, a week or so later I began to experience severe weakness in my legs, particularly the left leg, as well as fasciculations in my left leg and foot. At first I had chalked it up to being essentially bed-ridden for the past two months, but on attempting even short trips by foot I found my legs to be so weak I could barely make it around the block. I also have been experiencing progressive weakness of my right arm and hand that has now caused me to be unable to properly grip a writing utensil as well as fully lift my wrist without experiencing pain or soreness. I had been waking up for the last few weeks with numbness in that hand and specifically, the ring and pinky finger, which are the fingers I am having the most weakness in. I have since been prescribed lexapro for anxiety and depression, but I have been unable to overcome my health fears. My psychiatrist thinks that most of this is mental, but my physical symptoms are extremely real and frightening as I fear I may have ALS with each day I grow weaker and twitch more. I have hardly left my bed for months because the fear has consumed my life and I have become embarassed and ashamed of the person I've become, especially seeing all of the folks who have been diagnosed with this disease and remain so positive and live their lives to the fullest. I just don't know where to turn or what to do anymore.
 
Willy boy, get a grip on yourself. If the neuro's don't think you've got ALS then you probably don't. I'm no doctor but if watching commercials for drugs count for anything, you've got a massive case of depression. Get out of bed and get to a doctor and forget about ALS.

AL
 
Hi Willy,
Your symptoms don't fit with ALS at all. It sure sounds like the infection caused your problems. Perhaps an autoimmune thing is happening i.e. Guillain-Barre or CIDP or it could just be the idiopathic neuropathy that the neurologist mentioned. It's time to get out of your bed, and do something construction like getting a second opinion from a neurologist who specializes in neuromuscular disorders. Good luck and let us know how the second opinion goes.
Laurel
 
Willy,
I am inclined to agree with AL.

Depression is a chemical imbalance in your brain. Your brain is the controller of your body, your muscles, everything. So , being a little off center , what do you think its telling your muscles to do , or not do.

Your anxiety , health fears are part of depression. Getting help for this should also help the other symptoms.

Smile every day.

Glen
 
Willy,

I agree that it doesn't sound like ALS either, but I would get another opinion from a nueromuscular specialist. (not about ALS)
But there are so many other things that are treatable and can take alot of time to get diagnoseded. And if you didn't have and emg I would definately insist on one.
Anxiety can make your symptoms 10 times worst. Try and get that under control it will help.
Ask your gp for a referal for PT

I have a freind who had alot of weakness in her legs and could barely get out of bed for three months. She never found out what was wrong, but it past and she is totally fine now. It was probably just a virus. Which could be your case as well.

hang in there,
 
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