Als fear

[jacobjensen74]

So recently, I’ve been quite substantially scared I have ALS. Just about two months ago. I strained my calf muscle. I let it heal for a month, and then it went back to skateboarding. However, when I return to skateboarding, it felt as if my calf muscle was substantially weaker. two weeks went by in my calf muscle continue to feel weaker and weaker and I started to have a muscle twitches in my left calf.

I then began looking stuff up online and came across ALS and my anxiety started. Since then I have developed a lot more symptoms over the past three weeks. Including muscle cramping in my right thigh muscle cramping in both my forearms and hands and full body muscle twitching. It also feels as if my legs are heavy and feel weak. My whole body feels achy as well.

So I got the EMG in the nerve conduction study about a week ago with a neurologist who specializes in ALS. I did the test, and the doctor told me that everything was completely normal. I left the appointment, feeling good however, the next day I went into my chart and looked at the results of the test. I seen below you can see that the test shows that my studies are normal. However, there are some abnormalities between my left and right leg. The doctor never told me this or even mentioned it to me at the appointment.

I was wondering if I should be worried about the test results? I’m kind of confused because even though the doctor said it, my test was clean, there’s still shows some abnormalities, so I was questioning whether my test truly is clean or not? I’ve seen it a plethora of doctors.

I’ve had blood work done for thyroid, lime, electrolytes and blood all came back fine. I’ve also had an ultrasound on my calf to see if there was a vein issue. Everything was fine too. My anxiety is through the roof. I can’t get the thought of a less out of my head please if anybody could help me by giving me their opinions, please do so thank you. Also, below is the results for my test so you can see the abnormalities.

This is what the results of my test:

Patient history/ exam:

-Normal study

-No electrical diagnostic evidence of neuropathy or radiculpathy or myopathy or motor neuron disease.

NCV and EMG findings:

• all nerve conduction studies were within normal limits
• Left versus right side comparison of Fibular motor nerve indicates abnormal L-R velocity difference
• The tibial motor nerve indicates abnormal left, right amplitude difference (50.5%)
• All H Reflex left vs. right side latency differences were within normal limits
• All examined muscles showed no evidence of electrical instability

I have seen multiple doctors two nuros, ortho, and my primary … all of them have done tests … have had a physical nuro exam, was normal, had blood work done, thyroid, elcrolytes, blood count, Lyme … all was good … had an ultrasound on leg to see if it was a vein issue …. That was good …. All the doctors told me not to worry about ALS … in fact most of them laughed at me when I said I thought I had it ….

They all keep telling me it’s my anxiety, I have a bit of health anxiety … but it’s hard for me to believe all these symptoms are just my anxiety… could someone give me some more insight … thank you! Also still confused on my EMG results doctor said it was normal however when you look there are some abnormalities… would like to clear that up?

 

[rmt]

Can you email the physician and ask them to explain what the difference means? Seems like the first person to ask is the doctor who gave you the results.

 

[Nikki J]

You should certainly ask for clarification as it is confusing but nothing listed as abnormal in that report has anything to do with als. It is all from the nerve conduction part of the study which is looking for things other than als. Als is seen in the emg If your neuro clinical exam was normal and the emg was normal you are not looking at als

 

[lgelb]

The simplest explanation is you did some damage to your calf that hasn't healed properly. The tib/fib velocity differences speak to that. That is the front and back of your lower leg.

Then your fears took over.

PT and/or other therapies might help.

But yes, the doc that reviewed the EMG should explain it and recommend next steps to you. If the leg is limiting function, you might start with a sports medicine doc that understands the stress that skateboarding puts on the lower leg and can work with you.

 

[jacobjensen74]

I’m really worried I don’t know if this is a symptom of als but every morning when I wake up both of my arms not my whole are but parts of it go numb… until I shake them out …. Is that a symptom people with ALS get early ?

 

[Nikki J]

No. Did you read this? Important - READ BEFORE POSTING! Answers to common concerns about possible symptoms

 

[jacobjensen74]

hey Nikki! I see you here a lot and just have one last question. In regards to early stages of ALS do you receive cramping in the limbs, prior to the clinical weakness…. Or does it really just happen where you are walking some day and you just fall over? Very curious on how it all works? Like do you notice weakness prior, or does it just become fully weak all of a sudden? I have read the post but I just wanted to ask a few questions that’s all!

 

[Nikki J]

I did not. My first symptom was indeed falling. Cramps are so nonspecific that you should not give them a thought AND you had a normal emg.

 

[jacobjensen74]

Would a emg show signs of early ALS, or show abnormalities even when ALS haven’t come into full effect… how effective is the EMG in seeing signs of ALS… does a clean emg mean no als?

 

[Nikki J]

A clean clinical exam and a clean emg mean no motor neuron disease. Upper motor neuron disease shows clear signs on exam and those people are told there is something seriously wrong. 70 % of lower motor neurons die before weakness is detectable so emgs show even before weakness is experienced. You do not have ALS signs. Closing thread. Please don’t start another