Afraid I might have ALS starting in my right leg

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Jessbear530

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Tulelake
Hey guys sorry for the huge bother but I’m hoping some of you guys can give me some help and feedback. Also I’m a huge supporter of this forum and love everything you guys do for PALS.

I’ve recently been feeling some soreness and tightness in my right calf and I’m not sure exactly why but I’ve getting small twitches and random pains when I’m either sitting down or walking. It’s a small burning sensation down to my Achilles’ tendon and goes up to my right calf and continues all the way up to the back of my knee in my tendon and I just feel random twitches and it’s a bit painful. I’m also right hand and leg dominant and I’ve noticed that my left leg is actually bigger than my right leg and that’s freaking me out I’m not entirely sure if it’s atrophy in my right leg or something else but I can’t even seem to flex my right calf as much as my left and it’s bothering me. My right calf also has a small lump where I’ve noticed the atrophy has occurred and it’s that lump where I feel most of the twitching going on. I also have days where I feel like the twitching and pain and atrophy is getting worse.

I’m still able to walk around just fine and run up and down stairs and can move all of my toes up and down with some stiffness and pain in my right foot. I played baseball last week and was running around full sprint but with some ache and pain. I’m also able to walk on my tippy toes and balance myself on both legs individually. And yesterday I was able to go on a hike and climb over rocks and went for a quick swim got out and proceeded to play basketball that same day obviously with pain in my right leg just ignoring it. But getting home my leg felt so weak I could still walk but it was extremely stiff and painful. Not sure if I strained my calf and Achilles’ tendon or have a small tear in both. I’ve actually gone to my PCP and my doctor recommended me to go see a neurologist but quite frankly I’m not entirely sure why.. maybe my doctor has seen something I don’t ?

This has been going on for about 2 weeks now and not knowing what’s going on has been gnawing at me and is frustrating. Why’d my PCP recommend me to see a neurologist? Is this how ALS starts ? Mind you I’m a 22 year old Hispanic male.

Posting pics of my calves and you can see the difference in calf muscle size between left and right.

Anything helps guys thank you !
 

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I think you need to ask your doctor why they decided you should see a neurologist- they would tell you exactly why. The people here do not have access to your medical records or the thoughts of your doctor, so couldn't tell you exactly why they felt the neuro was a good next step.

Please read here: Important - READ BEFORE POSTING! Answers to common concerns about possible symptoms! You'll find a lot of information to think about. Key here is the following, ALS does not present as pain and burning. A physiotherapist who can give you a full structural assessment and measure strength would be your best bet to start figuring out what might help.
 
It sounds like an orthopedic problem to me. There could be something going on with your knee. The pain sounds like an injury. A lot of knee injuries cause pain to be referred into the calf. It’s hard to know about the Achilles tendon without examining you. The pictures don’t really help.

You haven’t described failure which would be the hallmark of ALS. I don’t find any evidence of ALS in your post.

Just from what you’ve said, I think an orthopedist would be more appropriate than a neurologist.
 
Thank you guys for giving me your feedback highly appreciate it!
 
Hey guys I’m back. I haven’t yet seen a neurologist and my right leg and calf are still feeling weak, my twitching has increased and I’m not sure if it’s my anxiety or something but I feel like I’m noticing a ton more atrophy the past couple of days. My twitching moves around my entire leg down to my foot and up my calf and thigh. Any suggestions?
 
Your pcp suggested a neuro. You didn’t know why so someone said ask your pcp. Someone else suggested an orthopedic specialist. Either way you should have checked back with your pcp and have a plan to see someone. If you are waiting for an appointment then wait patiently. If you didn’t talk to your pcp or make any appointments do so now
 
I haven’t noticed any true clinical weakness. I can still walk around just fine and go up and down stairs easy with no problem. Walk on my tippy toes and do calf raises.
 
I haven’t noticed any true clinical weakness. I can still walk around just fine and go up and down stairs easy with no problem. Walk on my tippy toes and do calf raises.
That’s great! Then you don’t need to be here. Please work with your doctors and enjoy your long life.
 
Is it possible to notice atrophy before any clinical weakness? My right calf just seems to be getting smaller and losing muscle but I can still function and do day to day activities.
 
Generally atrophy follows weakness. But both can result from orthopedic and other musculoskeletal problems.

You still have good function. Your post does not suggest ALS. You came here for our opinion and we gave it to you. Time for you to leave this forum. Please work with your doctors if you still have concerns.
 
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