21 years old male, afraid I might have ALS!

[CharlieWafles]

Heys guys! I've been dealing with extreme anxiety for the past year or so and it's been getting a lot worse due to my recent "symptoms". It started about two months ago, my left thigh near crotch would start twitching uncontrollably every ten minutes or so. I also experienced sharp pains in my hands and feet but I hardly ever experienced any form of cramping. Back then I was afraid I had some kind of heart problem or something along those lines. Recently with this whole "ice bucket challenge thing" I've been reading up on ALS a lot and I've started linking my past symptoms to the disease. For the past week or so I noticed the trembling moved on to my left leg and it would sometimes happen on my right leg and left hand as well. Other people aren't able to see it and I've done some research and apparently these fasciculations only start happening after there's been some sort of atrophy or muscle weakness. The terrible thing about the internet or ALS for that matter is that there are all kinds of different examples when it comes to these symptoms. Some people say they're able to do all kinds of stress tests even after they were diagnosed with it, others claim I wouldn't be able to, say... jump up the stairs or stand on one foot for more than 10 seconds. Those are all things I can do now by the way. I haven't done any tests, apart from regular blood tests, a chest x-ray and an abdomen ultrasound, which all came back normal, mostly because I've got a long history of anxiety and I've gone through what you could call a self diagnosis phase more than once. Once I thought I had lymphoma, then I thought I had mouth cancer and quickly after that I was worried I was gonna drop dead from a heart attack. It's worth mentioning that my Vitamin D came back extremely low (16, normal being 40) and all of these symptoms can be explained through anxiety or Vitamin D deficiency. I've had very minor weakness in my legs as of late but I'm able to do pretty much all kinds of stress tests known to man, although I struggle quite a bit when trying to stand up on one foot with my eyes closed. I know it's highly unlikely for a person my age to get such a rare disease but I can't ignore what I'm feeling either. I appreciate all the help and advice you guys can give me. Cheers!

 

[Atsugi]

Charlie, you're quite right to say you're dealing with extreme anxiety. You don't have any sign of ALS.

I hesitate to tell you the real symptoms of ALS, because your body might suddenly get those, too. Know what I mean?

Don't ignore what you're feeling; go get help for your anxiety. You don't have ALS.

 

[CharlieWafles]

I really appreciate it. I am mildly aware of what the initial symptoms are and they do get worse the more I think about them. Thanks a lot for the fast reply and sorry for wasting your time. Take care.

 

[laoba]

ALS patients have weakness but no pain. You don't have ALS.

 

[MaxEidswick]

Hi -- ALS/MND is a scary disease to consider/fear. We empathize. This note is not to deter you from your investigations, but just so thoughts on how we can help each other ...


Here are some first considerations that may help:

#1 - Read the STICKIES at the top of this forum. Many questions are answered there. 99% of new questions are addressed.


#2 We are not doctors or diagnosticians, but people who are dying from or caring for people with ALS. Some of us have to type with one hand, one finger, via dictation, or even with our eyes, so reading/replying to the anxiety-ridden can be very tiring.


#3 if you think you have a motor neuron issue, see your Primary Care Provider and get a referral to a motor neuron qualified neuro, note: most are NOT ALS/MND (Motor Neuron Disease) experienced!


#4 an EMG, properly done, is the gold standard test for ALS. But also, an abnormal EMG can indicate HUNDREDS of other, non-fatal, diseases. So listen to your doctor.


#5 ALS does NOT present with pain, cramps, or fatigue. In ALS, you feel perfectly normal but your muscles simply won't work. Typically, the first sign of ALS is a foot or a hand that inexplicably just won't lift up. It doesn't hurt or feel weak, it just is limp. That is paralysis.


#6 ALS is about failing, not feeling, so forget the "feeling" symptoms


#7 If your main issue is twitching go to the bfs forum. If you have weird neuro symptoms try neurotalk. There are also forums for health anxiety.


#8 Your doctor is wise to look at other diseases. ALS is rare. In order for it to be ALS, it has to be nothing else.


#9 Many of us cough/gag/choke and/or can no longer speak. It is difficult to have anxious people constantly chasing this disease, when we can't escape it. There seems to be this cult of ALS wannabees/groupies. You don't want to fall into that bucket do you?


#10 Anxiety can be a real problem that can endanger your physical health. It is what leads many folks here to this forum -- it is a self-fueling fire. Try to avoid using google and/or this forum if you can -- if you cannot stay away and off this forum it should tell you something important!


Lastly, if you are still interested, go to alsa dot org or mda dot org ...


We sincerely hope you do not need to be here! But find out first. If you do need to be here let me say "Welcome, sorry you are here!"


-----
Max - Monday, August 18, 2014 12:03:01 PM
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onset 9/2010, diagnosed with ALS by Stanley Appel 8/29/2013
It Is What It Is ...

.

 

[CharlieWafles]

Lightning fast symptom progression. Is this normal?

I wasn't planning on posting a second thread but for the past four days I've been developing symptoms pretty fast. I mentioned on my previous post that I was suffering from fasciculations mainly in my left leg but in different parts of the body as well. Well, it turns out I started to notice that my left leg's become a bit stiff and weak making it a bother to stand for an increased period of time. Funnily enough it's actually easier for me to walk/run than it is for me to stand still in one place. Another thing I started to notice is that my hands/wrists get extremely tired and sore after prolongued periods of typing/mouse use. They don't cramp up, they just get kind of sore and fatigued. Like I mentioned on my previous thread I'm 21 and suffer from Hypochondria and Vitamin D deficiency, but there have been ALS cases in my age group, not many but still.... Thanks in advance for all the help. Cheers.

 

[GregK]

Re: Lightning fast symptom progression. Is this normal?

1) you did not need to open yet another thread. You could have simply added to the original, fully answered, one.
2) go back and re-read the original "no, you don't have als" answers.

> I ... suffer from Hypochondria
Work on that. Leave this forum alone.

 

[CharlieWafles]

Almost a week has passes since my last question and things haven't gotten any better. I'm starting to get really scared. My left leg seems to be allright, now the problem's with my right arm. It gets tired very, very quickly. When I'm using a mouse, my entire arm gets extremely fatigued and sore. That includes my wrist and right shoulder. That's never happened to me before and it's getting worse by the day. My right wrist, elbow and shoulder aren't as strong as they used to be and I mean that. When you guys say ALS is not about feeling but failing it kinda makes it seem like one's arm or leg just simply stop working one day and that's consistent to what I've read online. The process seems to be more gradual and insidious. It's not like it happens overnight. For some bizarre reason, the fasciculations have become a lot less frequent and now I just get them every once in a while at different parts of the body. I live in Brazil and over here there are roughly 3000 ALS cases each year only around 4 to 5% of these cases happen to people under 30 and even less so to people under 25, which is my case ( I'm 21 ). Can I really be this unlucky for christ's sake? The weakness/fatigue in my right arm can't possibly be explained by anxiety. And I don't know if the less frequent fasciculations can be interpreted as a good or a bad sign. These symptoms have been going on for three weeks now and I'm beggining to go crazy here. Thanks guys.

 

[Dusty7]

The symptoms you are developing are symptoms of anxiety, not als.
What does your doctor say?

 

[skipper66]

Please leave the forum. We can't help you on here. This is a ALS support forum and you don't have it so it's not for you. Please look elsewhere for your answers. You seem to have anxiety so I would log off now and call for a appointment with a good psychiatrist. Good luck to you !

 

[CharlieWafles]

My family doctor's not a neurologist, he specializes in gastroenterology and homeopathy. He said there's no way in hell I have ALS. I'm meeting a neurologist perhaps this Thursday, worst care scenario at the 22th of this month. My GP did do a couple reflex tests and said they were normal. My patellar reflex test was a bit brisk but he said it was normal and so was my Babinski's. My toe didn't move at all, which he assured me was a good thing. But then again, he's not a specialist. He said to give him a call after my visit to the neurologist. I'll be sure to do the same here, hopefully with good news. Sorry again for the inconvenience.

 

[affected]

Best of luck with it all then.

Please honey do everyone a favour in the meantime and promise yourself not to post here until you simply update us on the results from the neurologist. Posting here before then is simply giving in to your anxiety and is not showing any respect for the members here.

 

[MaxEidswick]

Well -- Several of us have tried to share our experience with you and your fears.

The consensus seems to be that you need to resolve your issues with medical professionals and/or do not have ALS.

We do empathize with your fears, but there is no more we can help you with at this time.

This note is not to deter you from your investigations, but just not on this forum.

You asked, we answered, so please move on.

If you think you have a motor neuron issue, see your Primary Care Provider and get a referral to a motor neuron qualified neuro, note: most are NOT ALS/MND (Motor Neuron Disease) experienced!

Anxiety can be a real problem that can endanger your physical health. Make sure you tell your medical practioner what you are feeling as well as how you are feeling.

No need to reply. Goodbye and best regards.


-----
Max
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onset 9/2010, diagnosed with ALS by Stanley Appel 8/29/2013
It Is What It Is ...

 

[Dusty7]

Did you read the Sticky?
"Dents, dimples and other indentations in a muscle surface are common and generally meaningless."

 

[Clearwater AL]

I will break my rule of not posting here one time... what's with the ads at the bottom of your pictures?

PS (45 minutes later) Well...? Waiting for an answer Charlie. Was your Thread a set up to post those ads?
If you're having fun... it's at the expense of ALS members struggling to stay alive. If you're serious... you're crazy. Get help.

PS PS. Just to tighten the box on this guy. If any member clicked on the links below Charlie's pictures... hope you have an anti-virus program tight as titanium.