Status
Not open for further replies.

Legaljunky1

New member
Joined
Aug 28, 2016
Messages
3
Reason
Learn about ALS
Country
US
State
Ca
City
Berkeley
Hey guys,

This is my first post here but I really needed somewhere to talk about my current situtation. As a disclaimer, I have had health anxiety in the past.

My symptoms probably became noticable about a year ago. I was a weightlifter in college about a year ago and one day after a strenous workout I had a really sharp back pain that radiated to the front of my chest and took my breath away. Went to doc and he told me I strained it and to lay off the muscle.

9 months later, I gradually noticed that every time I tried to workout the pain in my back would come back and it kept me from working out during this time. I had tried to basketball a couple of times but my whole body would be so sore afterwards and it took a lot out of me. 2 months ago I woke up at 3am and had an anxiety attack, I don't know what triggered it but my anxiety and sensitivy has gotten really bad since then.

I went to a chiro because my back was really bothering me during this time. My calves especially are very tight and my upperback hurts all the time. The chiro said I had a lot of degeneration in my back. Blood tests showed I had lower vitamin D levels.

Other symptoms:
-A back specialist noticed I had hyperreflexive knees and ankle clonus (another neuro refuted this)
-Unsteady gait- I have 25 more pounds of weight on my right side then my left
-Night disturbances - waking up many times during the night feeling breathless, triggers anxiety, fasciculations at random areas including near the rib cage.
-weakness of legs-very shaky feeling breathless easily after a workout. Went on a hike and had limb cramps that night and was pretty sore the next day in my back and limbs.
-Depression-had a dream the other night I had ALS. (We have a 3rd cousin on my moms side who died young of the disease.)

I went to a Neuro and passed all the tests, negative on babinski reflex. He told me it could be excessive anxiety and adrelaine causing muscle tightness and signed me up for Physical therapy. I'm thinking of getting a second opinion on Monday.

Any ideas of what this could be? I feel like I was rambling during the post but this has really been affecting my quality of life. I'm worried, and I have a promotion coming up at work.

Thanks all for your help!
 
I should probably also mention.

Poor circulation-big toes fall asleep at night for some reason, and intermitent numbness throughout the day in random areas.
 
The great news is that not a single thing would even remotely suggest ALS.

Let your doctors guide what kind of tests they need to do, and ask them what they are thinking, rather than try to limit them and yourself by focusing on what you don't have.

Certainly anxiety and a back injury combined would be the likely cause of all your symptoms, but not ALS.

There is a post at the top of this forum section titled READ BEFORE POSTING. I strongly suggest you go have a good slow read and believe it as it is our official position. All the best.
 
Thank you for the response. I have read the sticky and realize I very likely don't have it, was just curious because a lot of people's stories start with weakness and spactisity in limbs
 
But you don't have clinical weakness, you said you passed all neuro exams.

You also don't have spasticity, you said you passed all neuro exams.

You have perceived weakness, and I have no idea where you got spasticity from, unless you mean an unsteady gait.

This is the problem with non-medial people using google and then coming up with symptoms. You do not have any signs of ALS. I hope that relieves your anxiety.
 
ALS is not in this picture. My advice is to get into the PT, stretch and work at home as they tell you, stay away from chiros. It seems likely that you have a spinal problem that hasn't been adequately addressed, and referred pain/stiffness can lead to all the other side effects you mention. You might also seek out a massage therapist with a neuromuscular subspecialty, consider bodywork with a lot of static stretching like tai chi or ballet, and ask the PT about aquatherapy.

Best,
Laurie
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top