Could this be ALS?

[Ashleybb10]

Hello, I recently gave birth and immediately after noticed my leg muscles looked weaker and smaller and felt very heavy (3 weeks ago). I did lose 22 lbs and maybe that’s why my leg muscles appear smaller? They feel very heavy when walking, not when laying down. They feel like they could buckle when walking. Like sand bags are tied to them. I can still walk, but it feels off? I also have muscle twitches and can’t tell if maybe my voice/swallowing is affected too?

I have a lot of anxiety and my birth was quite traumatic. Most doctors keep telling me it’s anxiety and did write me a referral for neurology… but can’t see them for a few months. Feeling very scared.

 

[lgelb]

Hi Ashley, congrats on the new arrival.

If you mean you lost 22# in a short period, we would certainly not be surprised to see changes in how your body looks, and rapid weight loss often does take a nutritional toll. I would stay in touch with the doc that knows your body best and maybe keep a food diary for a while to make sure you're getting what you need (the postpartum period can especially leave you short of B vitamins and/or iron, not to mention sleep!), but this doesn't sound neurological to me, let alone ALS.

So while you're waiting for the neurology appointment, I'd try to deal with whatever you might be feeling anxious about, which can have a great effect on how you feel physically. Even just squeezing in a daily walk, perhaps with your baby in a papoose, or some "baby 'n' me" exercise, could pay dividends.

 

[Ashleybb10]

Thank you so much for your response. We are going to try some exercise/movement. I’ll update once I go to neurology. One last question, can tongue thickness/swelling be an ALS symptom? I keep waking up in the middle of the night and feel like is could choke.

 

[ShiftKicker]

Hello,

Please make sure to read the Read Before Posting too. Swelling is not a neurological symptom.

Take care