Nevadan
New member
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2012
- Messages
- 1
- Reason
- Learn about ALS
- Country
- US
- State
- NV
- City
- Las Vegas
I am 28 year old male and have been observing these forums due to some unexplainable symptoms that I have been concerned about.
Beginning around January 2012, I began experiencing intermittent calf pain (cramping?) in the upper center of my left calf, usually after exercising (runs of 2-4 miles 3-4x/week), although sometimes while at rest. After seeing an OD and physical therapist, they found a knot in the calf that was eventually worked away over the next five months -- however the pain never went away, even with NSAIDs. X ray and MRI of calf found nothing.
I continued running through the calf pain until I noticed my right fourth "ring" toe felt strange... numb? cramped? I truly stopped running at this point.
Over 4th of July weekend 2012, I noticed a "weakness" in my right forearm (along length of ulna) upon completing a 7 hour drive; over the next few weeks, I would later describe this as numb, painful, or burning. OD could not treat calf or arm, and ended up moving away.
Went to my PCP in early August 2012; the MD checked calf for clot with ultrasound and routine bloodwork and for RA, thyroidism (RA, hypo, and hyper run in the family) - all were negative. I returned again to PCP before getting married (wife and I had been planning this entire time amidst work).... a PA and intern examined me and checked reflexes and noticed "abnormal/absent" reflexes - PA checked again, and then said they were normal; I was referred to a neurologist for paresthesia - 5 weeks out. My anxiety upticked after that point.
During the week of the wedding, more symptoms cropped up in addition to the calf, arm, and toe issue - an odd sensation in my left thumb (again, weak? cramped? numb?) and my right ring finger (same as toe/thumb). When clenching fist, ring finger seems to "run into" my middle finger. And when I spread my fingers apart, it shakes uncontrollably. And then over-salivating on the right side - not to the point of drooling, but definately noticeable. It was at about this point I visited Dr Google to find out what was going on - MS, ALS seemed to pop up the most; anxiety now through the roof. My family and new wife say that it's a pinched nerve, however, my back feels ok, although neck is a little painful.
After returning from wedding (no honeymoon yet), return to PCP, who prescribes muscle relaxer, more Naproxin, and xanex. This seems to help up until the neurologist appointment.
Neuro does physical exam - negative Babinski, and other reflexes appear normal, however, neuro orders an EMG and MRI of cervical spine and brain. Over next two weeks up until this point, I've had the whole spectrum of symptoms on top of the original intermittent calf pain: twitching (all over), shaking, weird feeling Right ring finger, weird feeling right "ring" toe, over-salivation (but not to the point of drooling - just feels like it, or feels like I have to wipe corner of mouth), weird feeling tongue (including buzzing tongue, softly biting tongue and finding it pressed against the roof of the mouth), a choking-mucus filled swallow.... and the constant panic/fear/dread/anxiety that I have an onset of bulbar/limb ALS.
Given - I need to get my anxiety in check and still don't know results of MRI and still am waiting on EMG in 2 weeks. However, I'm curious to know, after such a long post:
*As described - is a cramped calf an onset sign?
*Is overslivation or tongue related issues an onset sign?
*Is the shaking in my ring finger cause for concern, given no other fingers are affected?
*Can all ALS symptoms strike within a narrow window, including limb and bulbar symptoms?
*If clinical weakness or atrophy aren't present with the current symptoms, could it set in later? Too soon to tell?
*If MRI, EMG, bloodwork are all clean, what else could this be?
My heart goes out to those who are fighting this terrible disease - in childhood, a family friend was struck down by this. I'm looking for what many other people on these forums are looking for - answers and understanding about what ALS is. Any answers to these questions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Beginning around January 2012, I began experiencing intermittent calf pain (cramping?) in the upper center of my left calf, usually after exercising (runs of 2-4 miles 3-4x/week), although sometimes while at rest. After seeing an OD and physical therapist, they found a knot in the calf that was eventually worked away over the next five months -- however the pain never went away, even with NSAIDs. X ray and MRI of calf found nothing.
I continued running through the calf pain until I noticed my right fourth "ring" toe felt strange... numb? cramped? I truly stopped running at this point.
Over 4th of July weekend 2012, I noticed a "weakness" in my right forearm (along length of ulna) upon completing a 7 hour drive; over the next few weeks, I would later describe this as numb, painful, or burning. OD could not treat calf or arm, and ended up moving away.
Went to my PCP in early August 2012; the MD checked calf for clot with ultrasound and routine bloodwork and for RA, thyroidism (RA, hypo, and hyper run in the family) - all were negative. I returned again to PCP before getting married (wife and I had been planning this entire time amidst work).... a PA and intern examined me and checked reflexes and noticed "abnormal/absent" reflexes - PA checked again, and then said they were normal; I was referred to a neurologist for paresthesia - 5 weeks out. My anxiety upticked after that point.
During the week of the wedding, more symptoms cropped up in addition to the calf, arm, and toe issue - an odd sensation in my left thumb (again, weak? cramped? numb?) and my right ring finger (same as toe/thumb). When clenching fist, ring finger seems to "run into" my middle finger. And when I spread my fingers apart, it shakes uncontrollably. And then over-salivating on the right side - not to the point of drooling, but definately noticeable. It was at about this point I visited Dr Google to find out what was going on - MS, ALS seemed to pop up the most; anxiety now through the roof. My family and new wife say that it's a pinched nerve, however, my back feels ok, although neck is a little painful.
After returning from wedding (no honeymoon yet), return to PCP, who prescribes muscle relaxer, more Naproxin, and xanex. This seems to help up until the neurologist appointment.
Neuro does physical exam - negative Babinski, and other reflexes appear normal, however, neuro orders an EMG and MRI of cervical spine and brain. Over next two weeks up until this point, I've had the whole spectrum of symptoms on top of the original intermittent calf pain: twitching (all over), shaking, weird feeling Right ring finger, weird feeling right "ring" toe, over-salivation (but not to the point of drooling - just feels like it, or feels like I have to wipe corner of mouth), weird feeling tongue (including buzzing tongue, softly biting tongue and finding it pressed against the roof of the mouth), a choking-mucus filled swallow.... and the constant panic/fear/dread/anxiety that I have an onset of bulbar/limb ALS.
Given - I need to get my anxiety in check and still don't know results of MRI and still am waiting on EMG in 2 weeks. However, I'm curious to know, after such a long post:
*As described - is a cramped calf an onset sign?
*Is overslivation or tongue related issues an onset sign?
*Is the shaking in my ring finger cause for concern, given no other fingers are affected?
*Can all ALS symptoms strike within a narrow window, including limb and bulbar symptoms?
*If clinical weakness or atrophy aren't present with the current symptoms, could it set in later? Too soon to tell?
*If MRI, EMG, bloodwork are all clean, what else could this be?
My heart goes out to those who are fighting this terrible disease - in childhood, a family friend was struck down by this. I'm looking for what many other people on these forums are looking for - answers and understanding about what ALS is. Any answers to these questions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks