fredsin
New member
- Joined
- Nov 16, 2016
- Messages
- 3
- Reason
- Lost a loved one
- Country
- Uni
- State
- NY
- City
- BROOKLYN
Hi All,
This is my first time writing about ALS in any support forum ever. My mother died of ALS this past March. I was able to get through my mother's battle with ALS with the support of friends and family. But now that I am exhibiting suspicious neurological problems, just half a year after my mother passed, I feel I can't lean on those people anymore. They're just too worn out, as am I.
In September, I developed foot drop in my left foot. No pain. I have spontaneous fasciculations that occur mostly in my calves and thighs, but have also occurred in arms and even trunk. When I flex my leg muscles, there is a "shimmer" of nerve twitches that is alarming looking.
MRI of the spine showed a possible disc bulge in thoracic could be the cause. An EMG out -ruled the disc bulge. While no widespread denervation was detected, the EMG showed "severe peroneal nerve dysfunction across the left fibular head." I also had isolated fibrillation potentials in my right leg (unaffected leg) "of unclear significance." Although there is some "axonal degeneration," the report found "focal dymyelination" to be the primary cause of the foot drop, consistent with a nerve compression. However, after a MRI of the leg, no nerve compression showed up. So that too has been ruled out, and I am waiting to see the neurologist.
The only positive is that angle of the foot drop, over the past couple of weeks, has not been as severe. I was almost dragging my foot before. Now it is not as pronounced. It still seems as weak as it has been though. When I strength test it, it is easily pushed down and my left toe has no strength. My left leg is also weakened, with muscle atrophy.
Since my mother died of ALS in March, of course I know a lot of you think this is probably all in my head. I assure you, it isn't. I would be the first to wish it was. I am only hoping that this is just some cruel trick the universe is throwing at me. But my feeling is when it quacks like a duck....well, I'm no fool. I'm an intelligent, level-headed person.
The good thing is, my mother did get tested for familial ALS and she didn't have it. I'm wondering if there are cases of familial ALS that just start up. Or if those genetic tests don't always capture it. Also, the angle of the foot drop has improved a bit. That is giving me some encouragement, though the continued muscle weakness and fasciculations are obviously discouraging.
Thanks for listening and for any feedback. It does not have to be encouraging feedback. I'm here for honesty. Thank you.
This is my first time writing about ALS in any support forum ever. My mother died of ALS this past March. I was able to get through my mother's battle with ALS with the support of friends and family. But now that I am exhibiting suspicious neurological problems, just half a year after my mother passed, I feel I can't lean on those people anymore. They're just too worn out, as am I.
In September, I developed foot drop in my left foot. No pain. I have spontaneous fasciculations that occur mostly in my calves and thighs, but have also occurred in arms and even trunk. When I flex my leg muscles, there is a "shimmer" of nerve twitches that is alarming looking.
MRI of the spine showed a possible disc bulge in thoracic could be the cause. An EMG out -ruled the disc bulge. While no widespread denervation was detected, the EMG showed "severe peroneal nerve dysfunction across the left fibular head." I also had isolated fibrillation potentials in my right leg (unaffected leg) "of unclear significance." Although there is some "axonal degeneration," the report found "focal dymyelination" to be the primary cause of the foot drop, consistent with a nerve compression. However, after a MRI of the leg, no nerve compression showed up. So that too has been ruled out, and I am waiting to see the neurologist.
The only positive is that angle of the foot drop, over the past couple of weeks, has not been as severe. I was almost dragging my foot before. Now it is not as pronounced. It still seems as weak as it has been though. When I strength test it, it is easily pushed down and my left toe has no strength. My left leg is also weakened, with muscle atrophy.
Since my mother died of ALS in March, of course I know a lot of you think this is probably all in my head. I assure you, it isn't. I would be the first to wish it was. I am only hoping that this is just some cruel trick the universe is throwing at me. But my feeling is when it quacks like a duck....well, I'm no fool. I'm an intelligent, level-headed person.
The good thing is, my mother did get tested for familial ALS and she didn't have it. I'm wondering if there are cases of familial ALS that just start up. Or if those genetic tests don't always capture it. Also, the angle of the foot drop has improved a bit. That is giving me some encouragement, though the continued muscle weakness and fasciculations are obviously discouraging.
Thanks for listening and for any feedback. It does not have to be encouraging feedback. I'm here for honesty. Thank you.