jdcrist54
New member
- Joined
- Nov 17, 2021
- Messages
- 2
- Reason
- Learn about ALS
- Diagnosis
- 00/0000
- Country
- US
- State
- MN
Hi! I am hoping you all can help dispel my worry.
I am 35 year old female that started having problems about 9 months ago - noticing fatigue in my hands at work, and then cramping. (Pain is only the cramping pain when trying really hard to use my hands)
Went to hand orthopedic doctor who said it looks neuro involved. Had clean cervical MRI, have had clean brain MRI.
Saw neurologist, who stated maybe have hyperreflexia - as only borderline increased. but clearly muscle weakness in patchy distribution in hands.
Ran a bunch of blood tests and all are negative.
ordered EMG, but cannot get in for another 2 months so I am currently just waiting and worrying about different potential diagnosis.
I have seen occupational therapy to get splints for my hands and try and make more functional, and found out just how weak my hands are.
I have 12lbs of grip strength (normal for 35 year old female is like 65-75lbs...) and I have 0lbs of pinch ( normal is 12-15lbs).
So to recap.
I am 35 (so young)
only noting hand weakness (but significant loss) - no Leg weakness, no face or swallow or talking or other problems.
negative blood tests (not sure what all testing, but ALOT of different tests all ran by neurologist, all clean)
clean cervcial MRI
clean brain MRI
very weak hands -normal strength throughout rest of body and rest of arms
could this be ALS? or since only hand involved, can that rule that out? I cant get in any sooner for EMG and my neurologist is tight liped and waiting for testing to say anything about any diagnosis (which I totally understand).
I am 35 year old female that started having problems about 9 months ago - noticing fatigue in my hands at work, and then cramping. (Pain is only the cramping pain when trying really hard to use my hands)
Went to hand orthopedic doctor who said it looks neuro involved. Had clean cervical MRI, have had clean brain MRI.
Saw neurologist, who stated maybe have hyperreflexia - as only borderline increased. but clearly muscle weakness in patchy distribution in hands.
Ran a bunch of blood tests and all are negative.
ordered EMG, but cannot get in for another 2 months so I am currently just waiting and worrying about different potential diagnosis.
I have seen occupational therapy to get splints for my hands and try and make more functional, and found out just how weak my hands are.
I have 12lbs of grip strength (normal for 35 year old female is like 65-75lbs...) and I have 0lbs of pinch ( normal is 12-15lbs).
So to recap.
I am 35 (so young)
only noting hand weakness (but significant loss) - no Leg weakness, no face or swallow or talking or other problems.
negative blood tests (not sure what all testing, but ALOT of different tests all ran by neurologist, all clean)
clean cervcial MRI
clean brain MRI
very weak hands -normal strength throughout rest of body and rest of arms
could this be ALS? or since only hand involved, can that rule that out? I cant get in any sooner for EMG and my neurologist is tight liped and waiting for testing to say anything about any diagnosis (which I totally understand).