Worried about Symptoms

[LS1982]

I know this same topic has probably been posted a million times but here goes with my story anyway.

Im a 29 year old male, average build and in good health until recently.

In December of last year i noticed a severe itch on my third toe on the left foot, for which I could never relieve even by scratching. It drove me insane, not a big problem I thought.

3 weeks ago however I noticed nagging pains in both of my legs for which was accompanied by mild twitches. I attended the docs for which he took bloods and tested reflexes, strength etc. Everything came back fine. The following week however the symptoms got worse and I began to get cramps in my thighs and calves (both legs). He then put me on amitriptyline for which I have taken for 7 days now. Once again this past week my symptoms have become worse and unbearable with my thighs, calves and buttocks feeling so tight to move and the fasciculations are still there.

I feel as though my muscles are being attacked and are bruised, my toe itch has increased and I now get a slight one on my right toes and the stamina in my muscles is poor. I am getting slight fasciculations in the arms and other parts but not noticeable compared to my legs. There is no pain at all in these other areas.

I have a family history of ALS (grandparent) for which concerns me but my family doctor ruled this out last week. I just dont know what to do as this appears to be taking hold of me right now :-(

This is driving me crazy but my Doc doesnt appear too concerned.

Any advice would be welcomed and appreciated. Thank you for your time.

 

[LS1982]

In addition to my post I understand the illness and what it can do as mentioned above and I can understand posts like mine above can appear as a bit of a time waste but my history with the illness prompts me to have a great concern.

 

[TedH5]

I know this same topic has probably been posted a million times but here goes with my story anyway.

Im a 29 year old male, average build and in good health until recently.

In December of last year i noticed a severe itch on my third toe on the left foot, for which I could never relieve even by scratching. It drove me insane, not a big problem I thought.

3 weeks ago however I noticed nagging pains in both of my legs for which was accompanied by mild twitches. I attended the docs for which he took bloods and tested reflexes, strength etc. Everything came back fine. The following week however the symptoms got worse and I began to get cramps in my thighs and calves (both legs). He then put me on amitriptyline for which I have taken for 7 days now. Once again this past week my symptoms have become worse and unbearable with my thighs, calves and buttocks feeling so tight to move and the fasciculations are still there.

I feel as though my muscles are being attacked and are bruised, my toe itch has increased and I now get a slight one on my right toes and the stamina in my muscles is poor. I am getting slight fasciculations in the arms and other parts but not noticeable compared to my legs. There is no pain at all in these other areas.

I have a family history of ALS (grandparent) for which concerns me but my family doctor ruled this out last week. I just dont know what to do as this appears to be taking hold of me right now :-(

This is driving me crazy but my Doc doesnt appear too concerned.

Any advice would be welcomed and appreciated. Thank you for your time.

Actually no this topic has not been posted a million times. This is the first time I recall reading about an itchy toe causing concern about possible ALS. I understand the tragedy of your grandparent has helped cause some of this anxiety but if you truly know about the disease as you claim you would know pain is not a part of ALS.

Let a Dr figure out what is going on but it does not appear that you need to concern yourself with ALS.

Good luck.

 

[trfogey]

In addition to my post I understand the illness and what it can do as mentioned above and I can understand posts like mine above can appear as a bit of a time waste but my history with the illness prompts me to have a great concern.

Really? What would that "great concern" about ALS be? How is what you are going through indicative of ALS? Which of your limbs has clinical weakness, pathological reflexes, and abnormal muscle tone?

Actually no this topic has not been posted a million times. This is the first time I recall reading about an itchy toe causing concern about possible ALS.

This is the first itchy toe symptom report that I've seen here. We've had a couple of stiff toes, especially pinky toes, reported -- don't recall that they were itchy.

 

[LS1982]

Really? What would that "great concern" about ALS be? How is what you are going through indicative of ALS? Which of your limbs has clinical weakness, pathological reflexes, and abnormal muscle tone?

I am concerned that due to my grandfather and one of his brothers having this illness I might be affected with this sudden onset of symptoms that have come out of nowhere. I am in no way a hypochondriac or have any health anxiety. I have visited my doctors once in the previous 10 years.

At the moment I have trouble standing up for anymore than 5 minutes, I am tripping over things I didnt even know were there and feel very unsteady on my feet right now. I am unable to sleep with cramp.

 

[glimmer]

What exactly did your Neurologist Tell you is wrong? What exams and tests did they do? If you aren't satisfied with the care you are receiving, go to another group of Neurologists. Hoping you find answers and you don't have ALS.

 

[trfogey]

I am concerned that due to my grandfather and one of his brothers having this illness I might be affected with this sudden onset of symptoms that have come out of nowhere. I am in no way a hypochondriac or have any health anxiety. I have visited my doctors once in the previous 10 years.

Given the symptoms that you are trying to hook together into a picture of ALS, I'd rethink the hypochondriac/health anxiety thing if I were you. On most medical conditions you aren't, but when it comes to dealing with anything that might have to do with nerves, you are.

At the moment I have trouble standing up for anymore than 5 minutes, I am tripping over things I didnt even know were there and feel very unsteady on my feet right now. I am unable to sleep with cramp.

You do know that ALS wouldn't spread throughout your lower body in three weeks, don't you?

My recommendation to you is to get your primary care physician to refer you to a neurologist. While you're waiting for the neuro appointment, you should do a lot of reading and perhaps some posting at a b o u t B F S dot c o m -- which is a website for people with benign fasciculation syndrome (BFS) and benign cramp-fasciculation syndrome BCFS), which is what the neuro is likely to diagnose you with. There are lots of people at that website who have symptoms just like yours and they can give you good information about what medications may be helpful and what other strategies you can use to cope with your condition.

Good luck to you.