1 Yr of Symptoms-Pls advice

[sony1330]

Hi All,

This is my second post after a while.here was my last thread from December 1st 2018

Gender /Age - Male/36

I am Convinced I have ALS.Please Advise.Please

Gender /Age - Male/36 Feeling Since Six Months- feeling breathless after climbing 15 stairs quickly. Feel like tripping in Bath Tub Fee like going Blank Feeling Since 9 weeks - Twisted my head in Sleep and suffering from stiff neck / shoulder pain/shoulder blade pain. MRI DONE 11/29/2018C6/C7...

www.alsforums.com

Here are my Symptoms and Rough 10 months Journey after the previous post-

December 1st - December 15th of 2018

As said in my 1 st post - I traveled to India and saw a top neurologist and he thought I have a Anxiety and Stress issue. Even after multiple requests he did not perform EMG.He prescribed medication for anxiety and stress.Came back to USA in December 16th.


December 15th of 2018 - Feb 22 January 2019
Symptoms Continued -
Neck Pain /All over Body Twitches/Right Foot Burning Sensations/Irretation Towards Shoe

Feb 23 2019- Saw neurologist In Peoria IL - ALS specialists.

He did a strength Test and said I was doing good with strength but suggested to take an EMG .

April 16 2019 - EMG test.
Areas Tested- Right Foot/Calf/Tricep/ Bycep/ForeArm.
On Legs- He Sai He found fasciculation's but nothing abnormal in EMG but on biceps he saw those huge twitches which made a different sound in EMG. All three doctors who performed emg went out and the main dr came back saying it probably is a nerve damage in your right side from a previous injury which is causing those big twitches and asked me to Drink plenty of water and referred to pain medication for Neck Pain

May 20 th 2019- Took First Cortisone Shot for neck. Had some relief for some time but did not had any big difference.

August 16 2019- 2nd Appointment with Neurologist Peoria Il
During months of July/ August- Felt like Twitching and awkward feeling in my Foot went away.
He performed Strength Test and Sai I was fine with strength and upon asking about neck pain he suggested to take second Cortisone shot and do neck PT for pain

August 20 2019 a - Took second Cortisone shot in neck.
Not much of help this time as-well

Current Symptoms-
Neck and shoulder pain-Feel good feels like my neck issue is gone but all of suddenly it comes back as if it never went away. I get relief when I use cyclobenzeprene and tremodol. These give more relief than the Cortisone shot.
twitching - My right hand especially Tricep and and wrist extension Twitch a lot with occasional twitch all over body
burning -
feeling came back for last 25 days, don’t really know if it’s toe drop. but I feel Burning sensation/ irritation towards shoe/ pain in the bottom of foot and ankle the whole foot feels different which I can not explain.

I am not sure if I lost strength but I feel my right calf and bicep are little small.

I am really drained emotionally for last one year and not sure who to consult next. I feel like I am taking the whole family down with anxiety and stress.

I have an appointment with neurosurgeon 24 Th but really not sure if it’s pinched nerve causing the pain in Neck.


Sorry for the long post but please advise what you guys think from your experience.

 

[KarenNWendyn]

What strikes me is that you have some issues that come and go (e.g. neck pain). You have had normal strength testing on neurological exams, and your EMG was essentially normal (meaning that it did not show ALS). A burning sensation points away from ALS, and twitching in and of itself is completely meaningless.

That’s all good news as far as this not being ALS.

In ALS, there is progressive functional loss. Symptoms do not come and go. That is not the pattern you have displayed with a year of symptoms. So keep working with your doctors on the issues you have, especially in regards to anxiety and stress. The good news is that you don’t need to be here.

 

[lgelb]

In addition, since it sounds like you never tried PT for the neck issue, I would do so -- with a PT who has a good reputation and that focus. Therapeutic massage is another possibility.

Neck pain can show up elsewhere in the body as well -- it is all connected.

Best,
Laurie

 

[sony1330]

Thank You for Reply. The symptom that worries me is the right foot, I feel like I have a foot drop. How do I tell it’s a foot drop.

 

[KarenNWendyn]

How do I tell it’s a foot drop.

You see a neurologist.

 

[grounded]

I think if you had foot drop you would know it. Try standing/walking on your heals. If you can do this at all, you don't have foot drop.