ALS or neuropathy?

[DeborahRoze]

Hello,
I started having progressive muscle weakness on my left side. I didn’t notice it at first I thought I was just having trouble walking. I went to the doctor and it was found that my left leg was weak, left arm was weak and I had foot drop. Went to first neurologist and they ruled out MS, Stroke, MG and EMG/nc was normal. Second neurologist found same left sided weakness and some weakness in right wrist and also clonus of my left foot and clonus of the torso area-stomach muscle/diaphram confirmed by the neuro. He did another EMG and NCS and said he got all the data he needed and now I am waiting for the results. The EMG had tick tock sound with resting muscles in right foot, spine area and a ton of noise for the left side that I don’t know anything about. I am hoping it will just be neuropathy but I am worried about the foot drop and clonus.
Does any of this point towards als or can I relax?

 

[lgelb]

It would be unusual for ALS to present as you describe, on both sides and in upper/lower limbs all at once, following (somewhat closely, I presume) a normal EMG. Foot drop and clonus can mean many things.

You should know more soon, but the odds still seem in your favor against ALS.

 

[DeborahRoze]

That’s good but the weakness is not in both sides it’s only the left. But I feel assured. It’s hard waiting for results.

 

[Nikki J]

Unfortunately you will have to wait for your results. If you have a patient portal they should be posted there. so it will probably be soon. Please let us know

 

[DeborahRoze]

got results back no neuropathy at this time. He wants to monitor and check back in 6 months unless new symptoms present or things get weaker. I am realizing I have clonus in my jaw not just my foot and torso. Most things ruled out now. And the weakness is spreading to right leg. So maybe they missed something. I will have to wait and see.