Lanebryer
New member
- Joined
- Oct 8, 2012
- Messages
- 9
- Reason
- Learn about ALS
- Country
- US
- State
- virginia
- City
- gainesville
Hello everyone - I have posted here before (quite some time ago), but I'm still having some doubts/concerns. I know ALS is exceedingly rare at my age (let alone any age), but I'm starting to have a hard time believing that my symptoms could be anything other than early ALS or MS.
Symptoms:
1. The left side of my jaw constantly aches - it nags at me every day, and has done so for months.
2. The left side of my neck is usually quite stiff and bothersome as well.
3. When I'm at the gym lifting weights, my left arm will give out and tighten up significantly while my right arm is still ready to keep lifting.
4. The left side of my mouth feels difficult to move compared to the right - I have to make a more conscious effort to move it when I'm speaking.
5. My voice seems to get hoarse more than before. I very occasionally bite my tongue.
6. I feel as though I cannot open my left eye completely.
7. When I run, it is my left knee that starts to hurt and acts up.
8. If I flex my left leg, my calf and glute both feel very tight and stiff.
I think by now you can see the connection here - all of my issues are isolated to the left side of my body. I have seen two different neurologists several times. I have had MRIs of my spine and neck (without contrast), and I had an EMG 3-4 months ago. The neurologist saw nothing of note except an ulnar lesion of my left arm which she said was quite common. She did not elaborate further. Upon doing some research, ALS is a differential diagnosis for having an ulnar lesion. The EMG was primarily left arm, left leg, and back. Nothing facial, nothing in the neck. At this point I want to trust my neurologist very badly, but the consistent symptoms I have on a daily basis makes it very difficult. I was hoping some of the kind people on this board could provide some insight into my symptoms, and whether they mirror any of your experiences with this terrible disease.
Symptoms:
1. The left side of my jaw constantly aches - it nags at me every day, and has done so for months.
2. The left side of my neck is usually quite stiff and bothersome as well.
3. When I'm at the gym lifting weights, my left arm will give out and tighten up significantly while my right arm is still ready to keep lifting.
4. The left side of my mouth feels difficult to move compared to the right - I have to make a more conscious effort to move it when I'm speaking.
5. My voice seems to get hoarse more than before. I very occasionally bite my tongue.
6. I feel as though I cannot open my left eye completely.
7. When I run, it is my left knee that starts to hurt and acts up.
8. If I flex my left leg, my calf and glute both feel very tight and stiff.
I think by now you can see the connection here - all of my issues are isolated to the left side of my body. I have seen two different neurologists several times. I have had MRIs of my spine and neck (without contrast), and I had an EMG 3-4 months ago. The neurologist saw nothing of note except an ulnar lesion of my left arm which she said was quite common. She did not elaborate further. Upon doing some research, ALS is a differential diagnosis for having an ulnar lesion. The EMG was primarily left arm, left leg, and back. Nothing facial, nothing in the neck. At this point I want to trust my neurologist very badly, but the consistent symptoms I have on a daily basis makes it very difficult. I was hoping some of the kind people on this board could provide some insight into my symptoms, and whether they mirror any of your experiences with this terrible disease.