AssistMePlease
New member
- Joined
- Dec 28, 2020
- Messages
- 4
- Reason
- Learn about ALS
- Diagnosis
- 00/0000
- Country
- US
- State
- WA
- City
- Seattle
Hi Everyone,
Thank you very much for taking the time to read this post and to answer my questions. I am looking to benefit from your expertise and hopefully ease my mind, as I've been having difficulties with rationally analyzing what is going on (I suspect too much Googling of symptoms and a history of anxiety, which I will fully acknowledge is likely making me hyper-vigilant of any perceived serious problem).
I am a (recently turned) 31 yo female, no kids, moderately active with a desk job (working from home these days, obviously). In October this year I began experiencing persistent muscle twitching in my legs. It began in my calves and thighs and was very pronounced when at rest. The twitching transitioned to painful tightness, particularly in my hamstrings. This started in one leg for a while then went to the other. I am still experiencing twitching in my legs and it is especially noticeable at night when I am trying to sleep. The best description would be like fast pops up and down the leg with the occasional thumper near my knee, and vibrating feeling in my feet.
Within the past month the twitching has begun to occur in other places across my body: arms (shoulders, biceps), back, abdomen, buttocks and my left eyelid. All but the eye are sporadic - the eye happens pretty consistently along with the legs.
In addition to the twitching, I have lately (within past 2-3 weeks) had instances where my right hand feel stiff. As I sit typing this I find that my ring finger feels 'stuck' and like it's having a hard time reaching the keys. I have also had several instances where my throat feels tight and like it closes up. This scares me a lot, especially when I am eating and I worry about choking. I have intermittently also felt as though I have a hard time breathing and swallowing when my throat feels like this.
A month ago I had a virtual visit with my PCP, who had me do some walking exercises (on my heels/toes, stand on one leg, etc) and I did ok. Their attitude was 'wait and see' since a couple months isn't really that long to tell if something serious is up according to them. BFS was also mentioned as a possibility, which I am exploring. I am switching insurances and will likely try to go in for an actual office visit with a new provider after the 1st of the year.
I would appreciate any insights you can offer as to whether my experience thus far sounds reminiscent of actual ALS. I am particularly wondering (looking for reassurance) as to the following:
- How likely is it really for a 31 yo female to be diagnosed with ALS?
- Does weakness or stiffness come and go or is it persistent, meaning once it appears it doesn't go away?
- Same with swallowing/throat issues - do these come and go?
- Do my symptoms and progression timeline reasonably sound like possible ALS?
Thanks very much,
Lee
Thank you very much for taking the time to read this post and to answer my questions. I am looking to benefit from your expertise and hopefully ease my mind, as I've been having difficulties with rationally analyzing what is going on (I suspect too much Googling of symptoms and a history of anxiety, which I will fully acknowledge is likely making me hyper-vigilant of any perceived serious problem).
I am a (recently turned) 31 yo female, no kids, moderately active with a desk job (working from home these days, obviously). In October this year I began experiencing persistent muscle twitching in my legs. It began in my calves and thighs and was very pronounced when at rest. The twitching transitioned to painful tightness, particularly in my hamstrings. This started in one leg for a while then went to the other. I am still experiencing twitching in my legs and it is especially noticeable at night when I am trying to sleep. The best description would be like fast pops up and down the leg with the occasional thumper near my knee, and vibrating feeling in my feet.
Within the past month the twitching has begun to occur in other places across my body: arms (shoulders, biceps), back, abdomen, buttocks and my left eyelid. All but the eye are sporadic - the eye happens pretty consistently along with the legs.
In addition to the twitching, I have lately (within past 2-3 weeks) had instances where my right hand feel stiff. As I sit typing this I find that my ring finger feels 'stuck' and like it's having a hard time reaching the keys. I have also had several instances where my throat feels tight and like it closes up. This scares me a lot, especially when I am eating and I worry about choking. I have intermittently also felt as though I have a hard time breathing and swallowing when my throat feels like this.
A month ago I had a virtual visit with my PCP, who had me do some walking exercises (on my heels/toes, stand on one leg, etc) and I did ok. Their attitude was 'wait and see' since a couple months isn't really that long to tell if something serious is up according to them. BFS was also mentioned as a possibility, which I am exploring. I am switching insurances and will likely try to go in for an actual office visit with a new provider after the 1st of the year.
I would appreciate any insights you can offer as to whether my experience thus far sounds reminiscent of actual ALS. I am particularly wondering (looking for reassurance) as to the following:
- How likely is it really for a 31 yo female to be diagnosed with ALS?
- Does weakness or stiffness come and go or is it persistent, meaning once it appears it doesn't go away?
- Same with swallowing/throat issues - do these come and go?
- Do my symptoms and progression timeline reasonably sound like possible ALS?
Thanks very much,
Lee