You have never answered my question regarding the NCV / EMG results. What LIMBS did they do an EMG on? Did they rule OUT carpal or cubital tunnel. Again--those are the MOST COMMON reason for issues in the thumb/forefinter/pinky
With 5 months now of 'symptoms' believe me when I tell you that there would be ATROPHY if it was ALS.
It's also possible that there is an issue within the joint of your thumb. ALS doesn't cause your thumb to dislocate or pull out of the socket.
You've apparently totally discounted the possibility of fibromyalgia--why? It's the most common cause of wide-spread feeling of weakness--and very OFTEN starts after surgery, an accident, vaccines, etc. VERY OFTEN. It causes sensory issues as well. The nerves themselves are 'hyperactive' and much more sensitive than normal--which causes a wide variety of symptoms including numb feelling, tingling, weak feeling and pain or discomfort.
As a screen printer--it's so much more likely that you have a repetitive injury going on. Again--something you seem to totally discount.
Clean EMG = no ALS. Period. Doesn't matter if it was a 'full" EMG--nerves are nerved. Those with ALS don't have a clean EMG in any of their limbs when they are tested--even ones that don't have symptoms yet. The damage is being done long before the patient sees symptoms.
You have no clinical weakness--clinical weakness is determined by a doctor on an exam--and they WOULD notice weakness in the ankle and the muscles that control it.
The very first doctor I saw found clinical weakness, abnormal reflexes. In areas that *I* wasn't having obvious symptoms in at the time. When I first went, my only issue was in my dominant hand. I simply couldn't use my finger. ONE finger was useless. Just one. It spread, of course, to the entire hand--but the first sign was a loss of function--something I simply could not do. Oh--and now, a year and a half later? We don't know what's wrong with me yet.
My point in explaining that is this: It can ONLY be ALS when it can't be anything else. There are LOTS of "elses" in your case that need ruled out--most likely an issue in the nerves in your hand from your job.
The breathing thing sounds like anxiety--sorry. Not ALS. Als causes weakness in the diaphragm--it doesn't come and go. It comes and stays. My breathing issues got worse pretty quickly.
The hoarse voice--is it YOU that thinks it is hoarse? And why would you think that is an ALS symptom? How do you know it's not a viral issue? In Bulbar ALS--the typical first sign is slurred speech--speech issues that others notice before you do.
You've ignored the possibility of benign fasciculation syndrome--the most likely cause of twitches. Why?
Als doesn't cause body-wide twitches--it just doesn't. Again--not sure why you think it does.
This is a very poor excuse for a qualified physician. You're quick to list symptoms--but seem to simply ignore questions or possibilities that aren't ALS. WHY?
If your first symptom was in December--this is now May. In five months--there would be SOMETHING that was already paralyzed or significantly dysfunctional--to the point that the doctors would see it.
There is no known cause of ALS--certainly no documented cases of it being started by a flu shot. Some people Do have bad reactions to vaccines. My daughter almost died from hers.
You didn't mention what blood tests were done--but deficiencies in B-12 is a common cause of twitches, too-and muscle weakness.
All in all--I'm not saying nothing is wrong--but you have the WRONG condition on your radar--as you've been told by several here--and by qualified physicians.
Good luck
Hi, thank you again, you've been really helpful.
I brought up Fibro to all my Doctors and it was vehemently shot down by them. I personally haven't shut the door on any possibilities. ALS is not the only issue on my radar...and thanks to you and others on this forum it is sliding off the radar.
Carpal tunnel was ruled out, but not cubitol tunnel. At least two of my Docs agreed on that.
CIDP or Myastenia Gravis are on my radar just as much, but I can't seem to get much attention on those
Also, the Neuro who performed my EMG on my right arm in march said it was clean.... So, I guess I have a benign condition that doesn't feel very benign, but that is good. You have talked more sense into me than anyone else. I am listening.
I was tested for B12 and I'm not deficient. And I take a liquid supplement so I should be square in that regard.
As far as the hoarse voice goes, people call me on the phone and always ask if I just woke up. I do feel like I'm having trouble formulating words, to some degree. Slurring words has been a subtle concern of mine for awhile, but I'm really not trying to convince you that these are ALS related. I'm just trying to answer questions.
I haven't ignored BFS. It's just fallen short of explaining my symptoms to me, but thats on me and as I already said, I'm listening to you.
I guess one of the issues I've had is the truth behind it's Not ALS Until it is Nothing Else. My Docs keep telling me it's not MS, not CIDP, not GBS, Not Fibro, not Lyme, not MG, not carpal tunnel, and yes, they said it wasn't acting like ALS.
I'm sorry if I've wasted your time, but I think I needed to do this. Take care. I wish I could do something in return for what you've shared with me.