I had a diagnosis of ALS 5 months ago.
Symptoms;
Fast Reflexes
Fasciculations: Arms, Chest & Legs
Muscle wasting and loss of some functions of Hand.
Note: I think that the diagnosis was way too quick.
After the diagnosis I had an EMG which showed normal nerve conduction ( except denervation of the arm I think ?)
An MRI of the spine showed a herniated cervical disc C6/C7 with Osteophyte formation, though not causing an obvious radiculopathy.
I started to develop sensory symptoms: Intermittent Pins & Needles in Hands and Feet and electric shocks & "sharp pins" into feet and rest of the body, especially when moving head & neck.
Note: I had a painful stiff neck.
I went onto Non Steroidal Inflammatories 2 months ago and have had a definite improvement (small)in my hand and the pain in the neck has gone.
What I think could be happening is that the area around C6/C7 is swollen affecting the nerve(s) to my hand & arm and also pressing on my nerve roots & spinal cord to cause the fasciculations below the level of my arms.
Is this possible ?
All my symptoms ( Hand and fasciculations) seem to vary with my neck position ( worse with head forward).
Note: The MRI was done with my head back, could it show something different with my head forward ? e.g Osteophyte protruding into spinal cord etc ?
I have been told by the Neurologist that I would have to be compressing quite a few of the nerve roots in my spine to get fasciculations in arms and legs.
Is this true ?
I believe that with ALS, fasciculations happen when control of the muscle is lost and therefore it would become apparent quite quickly...i.e weakness would be noticed ?
How long does it take for weakness to become apparent after fasciculations have started ?
After 5 months I seem perfectly normal in the rest of my body (except for the fasciculations which can be quite intense) and I have had a small definite improvement in my hand.
I haven't lost weight and do not get tired.
What do you think ?
Symptoms;
Fast Reflexes
Fasciculations: Arms, Chest & Legs
Muscle wasting and loss of some functions of Hand.
Note: I think that the diagnosis was way too quick.
After the diagnosis I had an EMG which showed normal nerve conduction ( except denervation of the arm I think ?)
An MRI of the spine showed a herniated cervical disc C6/C7 with Osteophyte formation, though not causing an obvious radiculopathy.
I started to develop sensory symptoms: Intermittent Pins & Needles in Hands and Feet and electric shocks & "sharp pins" into feet and rest of the body, especially when moving head & neck.
Note: I had a painful stiff neck.
I went onto Non Steroidal Inflammatories 2 months ago and have had a definite improvement (small)in my hand and the pain in the neck has gone.
What I think could be happening is that the area around C6/C7 is swollen affecting the nerve(s) to my hand & arm and also pressing on my nerve roots & spinal cord to cause the fasciculations below the level of my arms.
Is this possible ?
All my symptoms ( Hand and fasciculations) seem to vary with my neck position ( worse with head forward).
Note: The MRI was done with my head back, could it show something different with my head forward ? e.g Osteophyte protruding into spinal cord etc ?
I have been told by the Neurologist that I would have to be compressing quite a few of the nerve roots in my spine to get fasciculations in arms and legs.
Is this true ?
I believe that with ALS, fasciculations happen when control of the muscle is lost and therefore it would become apparent quite quickly...i.e weakness would be noticed ?
How long does it take for weakness to become apparent after fasciculations have started ?
After 5 months I seem perfectly normal in the rest of my body (except for the fasciculations which can be quite intense) and I have had a small definite improvement in my hand.
I haven't lost weight and do not get tired.
What do you think ?