Any thoughts?

[ama672]

Hi,

I'm waiting for my upcoming appointment with the ALS specialist. However, in the meantime, I went to the gym today and was able to do three sets (10-reps) of 25lb bicep curls with my left arm. When I first noticed my weakness in my left arm about seven weeks ago, I could hardly do one set of 25lb bicep curls. Granted, my EMG was abnormal in my forarm and tricep (it was normal in my hand and bicep) but nonetheless, with ALS I shouldn't be able to lift higher weights after seven weeks right?

Wouldn't you say that's atypical?

 

[GlenBrittle]

I would say that its a definite NO , you don't get stronger.

With ALS , once the strength is gone , its gone for good.

I would take some joy in the fact that its a good sign.

Glen

 

[BarryG]

You mean that you actually lift a 25 lb weight 30 times? On purpose? Isn't that what sherpas or porters are for? :shock:

And yes, you do not get stronger with ALS.

 

[rom623]

ama672,
What is your latest update? I don't recall seeing any info after you thought a neuro said "ALS". Many people were pretty concerned and confused about what was happening with you.

 

[ama672]

I'm seeing an ALS specialist next week. I think he'll probably do a clinical exam along with a very thorough EMG.

 

[lydia]

Weren't you going to post your EMG results last week? What happened with that?

 

[wheeler641]

Who did you see in illinois? What hospital did you go for testing? I live in indiana but only a hop, skip and a jump from downtown Chicago, just wondering is you went to any of the university hospitals there and who did you emg? I went for most of my testing in Illinois also, Margaret

 

[wright]

You're now gaining strength in your affected arm? You would be the first person in the history of ALS, that gained strength. It's further evidence that what is happening to you, points away from ALS.

 

[tms23]

One more question to understand the thing of gaining stength. Is it impossible to gain strength in any muscle of the body or only in the muscle that shows atrophy?

 

[BethU]

tms23 ... I was told at the start of my clinic visits that it was OK to exercise unaffected areas, but to stick to range-of-motion only in affected muscles. So in Pilates I would use resistance on leg and "core" exercises, and no weights on arm exercises.

One of the problems with this (I now realize) is that muscles can be affected before you are aware of what's going on. My EMG picked up problems in a couple places where I had no symptoms. And I wonder if "core" exercises could have weakened my diaphragm.

I don't know if "motor neuropathy" works the same way as ALS. We really know so little about all of these conditions.

 

[andrew1113]

als - do i or dont i

my symptoms started about a year 1/2 ago. started out with right hand feeling tight like i always had to keep fingers moving to keep hand loose. then i started getting cramps in right leg (calves and hamstrings) right arm weakness , buzzing in both legs, faciculations in entire body , spasms occasional slurred speech, facial faciculation, and while these cramps and facics got worse i noticed extreme weakness that might last for a day, week or even a couple weeks at a time -- lost 75% of my strenght in both biceps and if i do any kind of strenuous activity even for just a short time period my muscles get extremely tight.
at present- i have been put on a cpap machine that i use at night and sometimes when i am just laying around-- (pressure increased once in first month) pins and needles feelings in hands and feet almost daily , cant make a full fist with left hand and partially on right. have to have help getting up from seated position - walk with a cane and a wabble , toes on left foot arched upwards and right foot starting. slurred speach more often and muscles spasms in neck and tongue faciculations, occasional choking or trouble swallowing (not of great concern yet)loss of hair on left lower leg . symptoms slowed but did not disappear when i started TEGRETOL back in january and in last 2 months started coming back full force. as i type this both feet are burning as if asleep.
2 emg studies showed cramping in muscles.
3 mri of brain that show signs of temporal sclerosis
hyperflexia in legs in beginning now in legs and arms.
can only sit for short periods and stand and walk for short periods​

 

[Zaphoon]

Andrew,

Have the doctors given you any clues as to what it is that has you down? You sound pretty beat up by whatever it is. I'm sorry you have all of this going on.

Zaphoon

 

[Al]

Andrew, whatever you have sure sounds crappy but a lot of your symptoms don't sound ALS related and they don't all come in a short period of time like that. What are the docs saying?

AL.