Bayber8790
New member
- Joined
- Feb 22, 2022
- Messages
- 1
- Reason
- Learn about ALS
- Diagnosis
- 00/0000
- Country
- US
- State
- NY
- City
- Staten Island
I’m so confused and completely depressed with my symptoms and not having an answer- at first I was convinced I couldn’t have als but now I’m not sure. I was hoping I would have something come up on my mri last week because I want to know what is happening. Could I be in early stages of als ? My symptoms have been persistent but waxing and waning some since October 2021.
My current symptoms include muscle cramping, fatigue, muscle fatigue and feelings of weakness in my limbs, twitching literally everywhere, slurring of words and difficulties with word finding at times- though as of now others in my life haven’t noticed, biting my cheeks, pins and needles sometimes in my hands and feet, electric shock like sensations through my head and sometimes tingling mid spine. I also have dropping eye lids and some facial weakness. I tire when I chew at times. My grip often feels weaker at times bilaterally. Many of these symptoms come and go and aren’t all present at once. I also have persistent diarrhea and GI issues. Some blurry vision as well.
I have seen a neurologist and I am still under his care. I have received blood work, CT scan, X-ray (to rule out Thymoma), EMG of the upper limbs, MRI of the brain. All normal. My neuro exam was mostly unremarkable- reflexes and muscle strength were normal according to my neurologist and he didn’t notice any slurring when I spoke to him about that. However he did note a nystagmus and differing pupil sizes which is why I had CT and mri. He now thinks these findings are benign. I am now just going to get thyroid work up and CK levels checked as the next step.
I am so confused about all my symptoms but I will say unrelenting fatigue - including muscle fatigue and drooling eye lids are my most bothersome symptoms. I had the MG blood panel but I may push for SFEMG next.
Anyway, has anyone heard of als beginning like this? I certainly feel very weak and unwell. However I haven’t lost functioning- daily life is just harder right now. My muscles tire easier. I have also lost weight. I also am curious if an emg of the upper limbs is enough to rule out als? That emg was clean and at the time I had muscle cramping in my hand and feelings of weakness however now I worry more about my speech symptoms.
My current symptoms include muscle cramping, fatigue, muscle fatigue and feelings of weakness in my limbs, twitching literally everywhere, slurring of words and difficulties with word finding at times- though as of now others in my life haven’t noticed, biting my cheeks, pins and needles sometimes in my hands and feet, electric shock like sensations through my head and sometimes tingling mid spine. I also have dropping eye lids and some facial weakness. I tire when I chew at times. My grip often feels weaker at times bilaterally. Many of these symptoms come and go and aren’t all present at once. I also have persistent diarrhea and GI issues. Some blurry vision as well.
I have seen a neurologist and I am still under his care. I have received blood work, CT scan, X-ray (to rule out Thymoma), EMG of the upper limbs, MRI of the brain. All normal. My neuro exam was mostly unremarkable- reflexes and muscle strength were normal according to my neurologist and he didn’t notice any slurring when I spoke to him about that. However he did note a nystagmus and differing pupil sizes which is why I had CT and mri. He now thinks these findings are benign. I am now just going to get thyroid work up and CK levels checked as the next step.
I am so confused about all my symptoms but I will say unrelenting fatigue - including muscle fatigue and drooling eye lids are my most bothersome symptoms. I had the MG blood panel but I may push for SFEMG next.
Anyway, has anyone heard of als beginning like this? I certainly feel very weak and unwell. However I haven’t lost functioning- daily life is just harder right now. My muscles tire easier. I have also lost weight. I also am curious if an emg of the upper limbs is enough to rule out als? That emg was clean and at the time I had muscle cramping in my hand and feelings of weakness however now I worry more about my speech symptoms.
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