Could this be als

[NICOLEL1985]

Hi I am 38 I have been having issues for about 12 months now. Started with muscle twitching. Like all over hand arms legs shoulder. I’ve had a numb sensation on my leg but not numb or weakness. I had an emg on just my leg. This has been like this for 12 months worse when sitting or lying. Had a lower back mri and brain mri. Both normal. The emg was satisfactory with no reflex in my ankles.i have reflex in my knees.

I had a brain mri. I have stiffness in my hands which feels a bit uncomfortable hands sort of seize up when in an awkward position. I feel I have muscle wastage in my hand there is an indent on top of my wrist on one hand. I have no issues doing buttons and using my index finger and thumb.

My muscle twitches have got worse. I could see it this morning in the palm of my hand (left)and the back of my calf (right).

I do have health anxiety and have been worrying I have als for about 12 months. My main concerns are the wide spread twitching. My hands and what I feel looks like muscle wastage. My arms ache slight when raised up I can raise them. I have a baby who is 1 is carry her around a lot in my left arm. Also sleep with her which sometimes I suppose would leave me sleeping in an uncomfortable position. I am not aware of anyone in my family having this condition.

My drs haven’t really been to helpful. I will request another emg or my hand possibly. I am awaiting for upper spine mri. I have had general bloods, liver and kidney function. All ok aside from low iron. I will request a more specific blood test.

I was wondering if that I should be worried about als.
I am sorry to post here Google brought me to this page.
I know to some it may feel insensitive I am just out of my mind with worry and feel I am getting no where.

Many thanks for taking the time to read my post.

 

[Nikki J]

Hi pictures are not allowed. Please read this Important - READ BEFORE POSTING! Answers to common concerns about possible symptoms

 

[NICOLEL1985]

Apologies

 

[lgelb]

Hi Nicole, you seem to have answered a lot of your own questions. Holding a baby and sleeping in that stiff position can certainly affect your arms. You can find a lot of exercises on YouTube to help loosen up your fingers, wrists, shoulders, and elbows, which will generally improve the stiffness/stamina and possibly twitching.

Then it is not unusual for twitching to spread to your legs for many reasons -- including focusing on it, of course. And with a baby, sleep can be at a premium, which doesn't help.

I see no reason for another EMG nor for ALS concern, but would focus on things you can do to feel better in this.

 

[NICOLEL1985]

Thank you for taking the time to reply. I have been referred to a neurologist to check out all my symptoms.

I am concerned about the hand atrophy I did start getting some strange twitching around my thumb that’s kind of subsided but there is a definite difference in muscle in my left hand below my thumb and at the top of my hand between my index. I am concerned this is atrophy. Looks like the split hand on you tube.

I have had a spine mri today. I also get tingling and aching , sometimes cramps. Sometimes I arm feels dead when I wake up as if I have been lay on it but haven’t. I am hoping it’s carpel tunnel but when I’ve done the phelans test it’s negative. I don’t get the shock like pains just tingling: all I can hope is that it is from carrying my baby in my left arm a lot but I don’t know how that would explain my muscle loss. I have only just took note of it now so I don’t know what my hand looked like 12 months ago as I didn’t know anything about atrophy. To me it’s getting worse daily.

My left hand is slightly weaker but it’s not my dominant side hence why I hold my baby in this arm and use my right for everything else. I have been trying to pick small things up with my atrophied hand to see if I notice any weakness. I am going to ask for a CK blood test and emg on my hand to see. I really appreciate you reading and replying.