ConcernedTeen
Member
- Joined
- Mar 27, 2018
- Messages
- 16
- Reason
- Learn about ALS
- Diagnosis
- 00/0000
- Country
- US
- State
- GA
- City
- Somewhere
Hello everyone. I would first like to say that all of you who contribute to this forum are incredibely strong and many people, such as me, tremendously value your efforts.
I have been lurking this forum for the past two-three weeks. I am extremely concerned about what is going on with my body right now. Let me explain:
Around three-four weeks ago, I began to experience random twitching sensations in both my legs. I have had twitching in my eyes before and attributed it to other reasons such as lack of sleep (last semester was busy for me) so I brushed it off. After a few days, the twitching did not seem to go away, it kept going. So then, like many others, I turned to google. Immediately "ALS" popped up and I became concerned. However, I did some more searching and came across BFS and hoped it was just that.
Then, I started feeling a weakness in my right leg. It feels heavier than my left leg when I pick it up. In my band class I tap my foot along to the music and my right foot seems to tire more easily than my left foot. This became a big concern to me. I told my dad about my symptoms and he immediately took me to the doctor to run some blood tests. Everything came back normal. It should also be noted that I never drink coffee and drink soda maybe once or twice a week. The symptoms continued. My uncle, who is a doctor, told my dad to get me an MRI. It came back normal.
Then, my regular doctor referred me to a nuerologist. She conducted a brief exam where she had me push and pull on her, walk in front of her, and tested my reflexes. She said everything seemed normal exept my reflexes were brisk. She said this most likely meant nothing as they were bilateral and could be attributed to my young age and nervousness of the exam as well. She suspected BFS but ordered an EMG for the next week to make sure there was nothing else going on.
Now, I've done my research on BFS and apparently it only affects voluntary muscle groups. This concerns me very much. I get twitching everywhere, inside and out. I feel it in my legs, my arms, my face, and my torso throughout the day. It is completey random and I have no control over it. This makes me suspicious of another underlying issue. I feel it on my cheek as a type this right now.
Yesterday, I had the EMG. The doctor conducted the test with my dad also in the room. The checked me right leg, back, neck, and right arm. This is because I told her I get significantly more twitching on my right side. At the end of the test, she said "I saw nothing on this test that would indicate a motor neuron disease". At the time I was relieved, and so was my father. It should be noted that a few days prior to the exam, I noticed my right (weak) leg is smaller than my left. I have never noticed this before in my life. I freaked out when I saw the difference. My feet look symetrical to me as of now, but my calves and under-thigh on my right leg are undeniably smaller than the left. I told my neurologist and she measured and confirmed the size difference but said it was "insignificant". If it is insignifacant then why am I feeling weakness? This weakness has been lingering for weeks now and has not gone away whatsoever. When I try to balance on one leg, it is much easier to do so on my left(strong) leg than my right. The difference is undeniable.
After the test, I tried to push the fears out of my mind and went back to focusing on school, as someone my age should. I am an 18 year old high school senior, by the way. But the twitching persists. I have no idea what to do. I am very scared. 3 years ago my mom passed away due to cancer so I try not to worry my dad too much. He is still dealing with that loss. I do not want to stress him additionally.
Also, as of three weeks ago, I have developed a slight tremor in both my hands when holding my phone. I noticed this because I was taking a selfie and noticed the image of myself was consistently shaking, every so slightly. I have never noticed this once in my life before. This happens with both hands. Also, when holding my phone in my hand for not even that long, my arms start to burn as if I've been working out hard. This also worries me a lot! More so in my right arm than left. Also, my right thumb twitched today for the first time in class and my heart sunk when it happened. I am just so scared now.
I understand this disease is extremely rare, especially at my age, but I cannot help but wonder - why do I feel this way? This semester, I got accepted into my top choice for University, finally asked out the girl I liked to prom, and was starting to enjoy my final moments of high school. Every since these symptoms popped up, I find it very hard to focus on those other things.
I appreciate any advice or insight anyone on this forum would like to give. Thank you.
I have been lurking this forum for the past two-three weeks. I am extremely concerned about what is going on with my body right now. Let me explain:
Around three-four weeks ago, I began to experience random twitching sensations in both my legs. I have had twitching in my eyes before and attributed it to other reasons such as lack of sleep (last semester was busy for me) so I brushed it off. After a few days, the twitching did not seem to go away, it kept going. So then, like many others, I turned to google. Immediately "ALS" popped up and I became concerned. However, I did some more searching and came across BFS and hoped it was just that.
Then, I started feeling a weakness in my right leg. It feels heavier than my left leg when I pick it up. In my band class I tap my foot along to the music and my right foot seems to tire more easily than my left foot. This became a big concern to me. I told my dad about my symptoms and he immediately took me to the doctor to run some blood tests. Everything came back normal. It should also be noted that I never drink coffee and drink soda maybe once or twice a week. The symptoms continued. My uncle, who is a doctor, told my dad to get me an MRI. It came back normal.
Then, my regular doctor referred me to a nuerologist. She conducted a brief exam where she had me push and pull on her, walk in front of her, and tested my reflexes. She said everything seemed normal exept my reflexes were brisk. She said this most likely meant nothing as they were bilateral and could be attributed to my young age and nervousness of the exam as well. She suspected BFS but ordered an EMG for the next week to make sure there was nothing else going on.
Now, I've done my research on BFS and apparently it only affects voluntary muscle groups. This concerns me very much. I get twitching everywhere, inside and out. I feel it in my legs, my arms, my face, and my torso throughout the day. It is completey random and I have no control over it. This makes me suspicious of another underlying issue. I feel it on my cheek as a type this right now.
Yesterday, I had the EMG. The doctor conducted the test with my dad also in the room. The checked me right leg, back, neck, and right arm. This is because I told her I get significantly more twitching on my right side. At the end of the test, she said "I saw nothing on this test that would indicate a motor neuron disease". At the time I was relieved, and so was my father. It should be noted that a few days prior to the exam, I noticed my right (weak) leg is smaller than my left. I have never noticed this before in my life. I freaked out when I saw the difference. My feet look symetrical to me as of now, but my calves and under-thigh on my right leg are undeniably smaller than the left. I told my neurologist and she measured and confirmed the size difference but said it was "insignificant". If it is insignifacant then why am I feeling weakness? This weakness has been lingering for weeks now and has not gone away whatsoever. When I try to balance on one leg, it is much easier to do so on my left(strong) leg than my right. The difference is undeniable.
After the test, I tried to push the fears out of my mind and went back to focusing on school, as someone my age should. I am an 18 year old high school senior, by the way. But the twitching persists. I have no idea what to do. I am very scared. 3 years ago my mom passed away due to cancer so I try not to worry my dad too much. He is still dealing with that loss. I do not want to stress him additionally.
Also, as of three weeks ago, I have developed a slight tremor in both my hands when holding my phone. I noticed this because I was taking a selfie and noticed the image of myself was consistently shaking, every so slightly. I have never noticed this once in my life before. This happens with both hands. Also, when holding my phone in my hand for not even that long, my arms start to burn as if I've been working out hard. This also worries me a lot! More so in my right arm than left. Also, my right thumb twitched today for the first time in class and my heart sunk when it happened. I am just so scared now.
I understand this disease is extremely rare, especially at my age, but I cannot help but wonder - why do I feel this way? This semester, I got accepted into my top choice for University, finally asked out the girl I liked to prom, and was starting to enjoy my final moments of high school. Every since these symptoms popped up, I find it very hard to focus on those other things.
I appreciate any advice or insight anyone on this forum would like to give. Thank you.