[25/m] Left side body fatigue / Left side of body tremors

[nick1224]

Hello. I'm a 25 year old male having some strange symptoms, and of course.... dr. google has now lead me here. Before I get into this, I have seen my GP for these issues, and was referred to a movement specialist neurologist. The problem is the appointment isn't until November. Keep in mind I have also lost around 60lbs in the past 4-5 months on 80% meal replacement shakes (soylent).

My main symptoms, started in about February. I was having pretty bad knee / leg pain / stiffness in the left leg. Was to the point of where when I tried to get out of the car, I would have to lift my leg up by the pants to get it out. The stiffness would dissapear within 2 minutes of walking around. Ever since this has happened, I've noticed my left leg just doesn't feel right when walking. It feels as though when heel / toe striking the front of my foot doesn't lift up as early as it should. If that makes any sense. The other thing I've noticed for a while, is climbing stairs / while walking.... my left leg fatigues extremely fast. By the time I'm up 3 flights of stairs my left leg is done, while my right leg has 0 pain whatsoever. My left knee feels somewhat numb, as if it's unsteady and going to buckle.

Another symptom is left arm / hand / chest tremoring / internal vibrations. This symptom is actually what sent me to the doctor initially. GP told me she has never seen an asymmetrical tremor like this, so she referred me to a neuro.

Now just recently I'm noticing food / drinks kind of leaking out of the left side of my mouth. As well as excess drool. It seems like there is an opening when closing my mouth on the left side vs the right side. This has me somewhat worried, since it's fairly noticeable (to me at least).

A few other symptoms I'm having
-left eyelid twitching
-constant tension headahces
-left hand muscles between thumb and pointer finger not even close to the same size as right hand (I'm right side dominant)
-top lip turning pale white starting from the inside of my mouth to the outside, seems to be spreading fast.
-trouble swallowing when pulling mucus from sinuses / back of throat (no real issues with drinking / eating).
-left arm pretty much gives up when lifting weights, no real fatigue... just failure to lift the arm up anymore after about 10 reps, while I can keep going with right arm no problem.
-left fingers moving down randomly, almost like a twitch / lock up.

Before I end this. I would like to point out that 2 of my great uncles, and my great grandfather all had an issue where they would shake a lot, and lose their balance / fall over all the time. I don't know exactly what the issues was (they lived on farms in portugal, my grandmother isn't the most educated when it comes to health), but now I'm starting to think it was potentially ALS, as they did ultimately die from it. Has anyone heard of ALS starting like this, or anything similar to this? Ever since I noticed this tremor I've thought I had a neurological / neuromuscular issue. Sorry for the wall of text, but I figured I might as well throw it all out there. Thanks in advance.

 

[Vincent]

When you cant handle curbs anymore, start worrying. The fact you aren't being seen sooner should be comforting. Even in Canada with socialized medicine I never had to wait months for any appointment. If the want to see you quick, it's bad news. Most of your symptoms fall into the it feels catagory. Because ALS kills off only motor neurons, there is no sensation associated with it. You just have muscles that don't work.
Vincent

 

[nick1224]

When you cant handle curbs anymore, start worrying. The fact you aren't being seen sooner should be comforting. Even in Canada with socialized medicine I never had to wait months for any appointment. If the want to see you quick, it's bad news. Most of your symptoms fall into the it feels catagory. Because ALS kills off only motor neurons, there is no sensation associated with it. You just have muscles that don't work.
Vincent

Does it happen that fast? Or is does it slowly progress? I just feel like I could be in the early stages. I could be looking in the wrong place, just trying to get some information / opinions.

 

[ShiftKicker]

Your symptoms don't form a pattern associated with ALS. You asked if people with ALS shared the same experiences and the answer has been pretty clearly "no". You have posted a whole bunch of things not normally associated with ALS. I recommend you read here:

https://www.alsforums.com/forum/do-...-common-concerns-about-possible-symptoms.html

That is not to say you don't have something concerning going on- possibly even hereditary- but you will not find the information you seek in an ALS focused forum. Look at the link posted above and you will understand.

The people here know the experience of ALS and can not be used as a substitute for real medical care. You must wait to see the neurologist. You can contact the neurologist's office and ask to be placed on their waiting list- give them your availability and the amount of notice you need. This can sometimes get you in sooner.

 

[nick1224]

Fair enough. Thank you.

 

[ShiftKicker]

Good luck. I really do encourage you to call the specialist's office and let them know you are available for last minute cancellations. Knowing they have someone available who can come in with short notice can be a life saver for an office admin/booking clerk.