Status
Not open for further replies.

hmj82

Member
Joined
Jul 9, 2015
Messages
13
Reason
Learn about ALS
Diagnosis
00/0000
Country
US
State
PA
City
Pittsburgh
Hello,

I'm 33 years old. I've been dealing with some very odd symptoms since June of this year. My symptoms started out with body wide muscle twitches then swallowing (throat feels extremely tight) and speech abnormalities (not slurring moreso trouble saying certain words) and moved to chest tightness, stiffness around knee joints, stiffness in fingers. I've had vast amounts of bloodwork done, MRI's (brain and c spine), chest X Rays, Throat Scope, Barium Swallow, and NCV/EMG's. First EMG was performed by a general neurologist on my right and left arm which was clean. The second EMG I've had was done at the end of September by a neuromuscular specialist at AGH in Pittsburgh. The neuromuscular specialist did the EMG on 2 or 3 muscles in my right leg, 2 or 3 in my right arm, and then one muscle on the right side of my neck. That EMG came back normal. To date, I've had 2 clean EMG's and 3 clean neuro exams. Don't have any visible atrophy, muscle wasting, or weakness. Most of my symptoms are due to feeling stiff or tight in those various spots mentioned above.

I'm still scared as my symptoms keep progressing and I've read that ALS is a diagnosis of elimination as well. I'm getting scared and nervous that everything has come back normal but my symptoms keep progressing.

Is it normal to do an EMG on only one side of the body?
In 5 months time does my symptom progression sound typical?
Based on my symptoms do you think I should still pursue the NMD route?

If I wasn't feeling as miserable or scared I wouldn't have posted again. I appreciate everyone's time and efforts on this forum. God bless you all and thank you for taking the time to read this post.
 
My hubby had bulbar onset ALS- and what you described is nothing like it. Yes, an EMG will pick it up- his were done on his limbs and they were not affected at the time, but clearly showed ALS. You may have something going on, but doesn't sound like ALS.
 
I went back read carefully what you posted here 5 months ago, as well as where you are at now.

My husband had bulbar onset also and I can assure you that you do not have a single symptom, not even a maybe on any of it.

We simply can't do anything for you mate, that's something to celebrate really.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top