Status
Not open for further replies.

DCDad

Member
Joined
May 24, 2017
Messages
15
Reason
Learn about ALS
Country
US
State
DC
City
Washington
Good Evening All,

I'm a 40 year old male who has followed these boards over the course of the past several weeks. I've had some interesting signs and symptoms emerge over the past few months that increasingly concern me. I was seen by my PCP early last week and after a cursory exam referred me for an MRI and depending on the results will refer me to neurology (reflexes normal in all four limbs, normal Babinski, normal bloodwork results). My MRI is scheduled for 6/19 and I want to run my issues by the group for feedback/reassurance/advice. Candidly, I wish she had referred me directly to neuro because I fear that I won't get to see a neurologist until July if the MRI comes back unremarkable. Here's a quick rundown of my experience to date:

SPEECH

Starting in February/March I noticed the onset of a slight lisp during extended conversations on conference calls. I also occasionally started having infrequent pronunciation issues - particularly with the words with the letter "L" (e.g. "earlier," "obviously," "regularly." After mispronouncing a word, I can always repeat it just fine, but the onset of mispronunciation concerns me as I never had this issue before. In the last few months, I've inadvertently slurred an occasional word about 5 times total, but, again, that's not something I can ever recall happening before - ever. For what it's worth, I've asked my wife and she hasn't noticed anything. I have also asked my co-worker who is a clinical psychologist that has extensively worked with individuals with speech issues, and he hasn't noticed anything either. The important thing is I notice it and it worries me. My speech issues have plateaued. Interestingly, they don't happen when I read aloud to my children, only in free conversation. I recognize that anxiety can play a role in speech issues and understand that could be at play here.

LOWER LIMBS

In 2014, my former PCP noticed that the circumference of my left calf was 7cm less than my right one. This did not cause me any issues. In fact, my 2 mile run time improved about 1:30 between December 2014 and March 2017. Over the past few months I've noticed some atrophy of my outer left quadricep. This has caused some discomfort while running/biking and I don't know if the issues are related. I have observed occasional twitching in my calves and thighs. I can feel all of these twitches except my left calf where I observe/see them but do not feel them.

STAMINA

I took an physical fitness test with the Army Reserve in late March and had improved performance in my push-up (+6) and sit-up (+8) events compared to October 2015. My 2 mile run time was 1 second slower, but I attribute that to being 1.5 years older. Since early April, I've had some issues completing my normal bike workout in the gym and runs. My "go to" bike workout is just taking a lot more effort to get through, I can do it but it requires a lot more focus than normal. My recovery time hasn't really changed, and it just takes a lot more effort.

UPPER LIMBS

This are the really confounding signs that brought me to this forum, because they don't seem connected to a nerve issue involving my legs. In early April, I had a weird 7-10 day episode where 1-2 of my digits would transiently have pain and then get better (e.g. Day 1 = Pain in Left Index Finger and Right Great Toe; Day 2 = Pain in Right Middle Finger and Left Pinky). Transient Pain has since set in on my Right Middle Finger, Right Index Finger, Left Index Finger. These come and go. Some days they are there and some days they are not. I also am experiencing transient pain in my palms (Thenar area, pad under index fingers, and lateral aspect below my pinky). Again, these come and go but have been present more often than not over the past 10 days. I am also observing/perceiving some mild atrophy in the notch between my thumb and index fingers (bilaterally). I really notice this when using knives, cooking and lifting our youngest. I have had fairly regular pain in the lateral aspect of my left upper arm for the past several weeks and infrequent fasciculations bilaterally in my upper and lower arms.

TRUNK

I've had some infrequent fasciculations in my upper back and abdomen. These usually fire a couple of times a day.

CLOSING

Thanks for reading through this long post. The onset of mildly reduced stamina in a long established workout and the onset of "hand issues" has increased my anxiety and that's bled over into my personal life. I discussed some of my issues today with a colleague who is a physician and it was not a reassuring conversation. He started talking about how disability retirement worked in the Federal Government for those with MND/ALS:shock: He may have thought he was reassuring me, but he totally freaked me out. If my issues are indeed MND related, I want to get that figured out soonest to prepare my family and enjoy what functional time I may have left. We are here in a very expensive area without any family and a diagnosis would be absolutely devastating. We would certainly have to move and could not afford anything big enough or accessible enough in our current neighborhood. We would have to leave our neighborhood ecosystem that has our church, shopping, transit, and our kid's school within walking distance. The thought of relocating to a remote exurb with a terminal illness and zero support system while totally disrupting my family's lives weighs very heavily on my mind. I recognize and understand that these are irrational worries at this point, but they increasingly occupy my thoughts and are bleeding over into consideration about having a third child. I was presented last week with a career enhancing 120 day detail opportunity at work and couldn't help thinking if I would even be well enough to finish it.

Thank you for listening and I appreciate any and all thoughts. I don't know what to make of these multifocal issues. I greatly appreciate all that you do here and have become all to aware of what the PALS and CALS physically and emotionally endure while giving so much to those visiting this board.
 
I'm still waiting for the part where you describe some symptom of ALS. All I read in your post was a detailed description of a normal human being. Very detailed. In fact, you seem to be so in tune with the minor details of your muscles that I'd say that was unusual. Most people wouldn't notice most of what you described as symptoms.

Follow your GP medical doctor's advice. They are trained and experienced to use proper investigatory techniques and to use specialists in a proper order.
 
I don't know what your problem really is, but it's not likely one of ours. I'd hold off on the third child until you, perhaps with your wife's and professional help, figure out what is really bothering you. And maybe get a hand therapist's evaluation meanwhile.

Best,
Laurie
 
Ditto what Laurie and Mike said.
 
I don't feel that there is anything wrong with you other than the fact that you are too self conscious of your body. Give it a rest and enjoy life, stop worrying.
Al
 
Good advice all around. If you have read threads here, you'll know that you heard from some of the most helpful folks here.

Angie
 
All,

Thank you so much for taking the time to read and respond. It is appreciated. Of course, there is probably a 99.999% chance you are exactly right. Logically, I recognize that given the true rarity of ALS/MND as a diagnosis - especially at the young end of the age curve.

I guess that I was really triggered by the comment yesterday by my co-worker and one of the Kevin O'Donnell videos I saw on YouTube. His onset involved shoulder pain and diminished stamina in the gym. His video series was really tough to watch especially given the speed of his progression.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=84EuT7ymigU

Again, thank you. I appreciate the feedback and reassurance.
 
If the neurologist does indeed find normal reflexes and a down-going Babinski, then ALS is pretty well ruled out.
 
Well, to be fair, Bruce, not everyone presents with UMN signs like brisk reflexes. The empiric diagnosis allows for LMN signs only at onset.

But the description here is of someone who reports issues since 2014 but still has comparable strength and stamina in fairly intense exercise, e.g. 2-mile run, and that's not very ALS-like.
 
Bruce and Laurie,

Thank you for your comments. To clarify, I'm not as concerned about the size disparity of my calves (which was clinically noted in 2014). What really sent me here was the combination of perceived speech issues, the fasciculations in various parts of my body, and the feeling that something is not 100% with my hands. The fasciculations in my upper back have become more frequent - especially on the left which is the side I have fairly consistent upper arm soreness (not constant, but regular) and that worries me. Especially given the new member who posted yesterday in "diagnosed" section. It appears he was given a preliminary ALS diagnosis based on the observation of fasciculations alone.

Again, I logically understand the very low incidence of ALS, but until I get an appointment with a neurologist, I know that this will weigh heavily on me.
 
Re the newly diagnosed member IF he has no other clinical findings of which he was not told the diagnosis is EXTREMELY suspect He is fortunately going for a second opinion.

I am a genetic carrier for ALS. I have a number of friends who are gene positive with an extremely high likelihood of developing ALS. Some of them twitch. Some of these are in a genetic study for ALS done by a world renowned ALS specialist. He has examined them, EMGd and MRId them. Those who only twitch are told no ALS and some have twitched for years

Either there is more to the findings or the diagnosis was not appropriate. Worrying about that is not needed
 
"I recognize and understand that these are irrational worries at this point, but they increasingly occupy my thoughts and are bleeding over into consideration about having a third child. I was presented last week with a career enhancing 120 day detail opportunity at work and..."

So, I'm going out on a limb here and speculate you have a history of anxiety, health anxiety and/or trouble with life's big changes? Many of us do. What happened in February that triggered your health hyper-vigilance? When did you begin discussing a third child? What's happening at work?

"I've asked my wife and she hasn't noticed anything. I have also asked my co-worker who is a clinical psychologist that has extensively worked with individuals with speech issues, and he hasn't noticed anything either. The important thing is I notice it.."

Yes and no. The take away here is that your issues are perceived only by YOU. You recognize this fact but fail to make the connection it all but eliminates the possibility of something being clinically wrong with you. At least not of any real significance. Thus far, there is nothing to support a diagnosis of any sort, let alone a rare, terminal disease, except in your mind.

"I guess that I was really triggered by the comment yesterday by my co-worker and one of the Kevin O'Donnell videos I saw on YouTube".... "Especially given the new member who posted yesterday in "diagnosed" section. It appears he was given a preliminary ALS diagnosis based on the observation of fasciculations alone."

If I had a dollar for every anxiety riddled person whose referenced the Kevin O'Donnell video I'd be rich. The pattern is always the same ---> A video documenting the most tragic & rapid ALS progression ever, a comment from a friend, medical professional or college taken WAY out of context, and the one forum member whose diagnostic path is so atypical it borders on statistically impossible. The irony here is I have NEVER seen anyone actually diagnosed with ALS share this pattern of behavior beforehand. Never, not even once.

I'm not a medical professional, I only play one on the internet. My belief is deep down you know you don't have ALS even if your mind doesn't. For reasons outside of your control you can't shake the downward spiral into the abyss of the most horrifying "what-ifs" known to man.

In my unprofessional, non medical opinion, I would encourage you to seek counseling/treatment for the very REAL issues affecting your life, and, in turn, affecting your family.

There are certain somatic disorders which absolutely cause real physical symptoms, not just perceived ones. They are often caused by a stressful event or an emotional conflict of sorts. Obviously, they can be triggered by many things, even physical trauma. It's when the mind converts psychological stress into physical illness and it is something the individual has ZERO control over. Honestly, I'd like to see a 'sticky' that addresses mental health because it's just so common in this section.

Again, I'm not a MD and you may or may not be suffering from psychological stress. Only a therapist, counselor, psychologist, etc. can diagnose you. However, one of the many potential culprits is known as conversion disorder. Research it, along with the other somatic illnesses, with an open mind. Then ask yourself if you're more likely to have something like conversion disorder or ALS. Regardless, I suggest you treat your mental health as seriously as you've treated your perceived neurological issues and become your own advocate, sooner rather than later. Don't spend the next xxx months or xxx years looking at youtube videos of dying people or hanging out in forums designed for those with rare, progressive diseases.

Nothing you've posted gives anyone any reason at all to suspect you have ALS or that you're at risk of developing it in the future.
 
Lixen and all,

Please avoid extensive quotes of what someone else said in a previous post, and likewise avoid bold face and italics in doing so. Our PALS have difficulty scrolling/reading in many cases, and their CALS have limited time.

Lixen,

Please refrain from piling on, e.g. "if I had a dollar for every concerned person who saw Kevin's video"...it's not constructive and still takes the reader's valuable time to separate your wheat from your chaff.

I have found on DIHALS that if someone's fears are evidently unfounded, less commentary often means more, and thus I am more likely to comment at length relative to someone who clearly has something more than anxiety going on.

Best,
Laurie
 
If there are certain guidelines required for posting a reply in this forum (limits on quoting text, what's perceived as helpful vs. counterproductive, etc., then perhaps this area needs to be restricted to only certain moderators or members when it comes to replying.

Respectfully, while your experience has concluded less is better unless something more is going on, brief commentary advising someone to increase fluid intake and practice meditation doesn't always work for everyone.

I limit my participation in this section to those whom I believe are not hearing the consensus of many in a few words or less.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top