TJOhio
New member
- Joined
- Jul 29, 2024
- Messages
- 3
- Reason
- Learn about ALS
- Diagnosis
- 00/0000
- Country
- US
- State
- CA
- City
- Los Angeles
Randomly on May 30th during a spout of typing for work, my middle finger of my dominant hand (right) involuntarily pulled to the right and presented a little spasm. Intermittently over the course of the next 8 weeks (leading up to now) I found this finger, and the muscle/tendon connected to it in my hand would spasm if pressure was applied or if I pinched really hard, or in instances like today, I find I can’t straighten it without it a little follow up spasm. I have seen my PCP, an occupational sports doctor and I’m in Physical Therapy (it’s been 2.5 weeks). All of these professionals have essentially diagnosed this as overuse and a muscle strain. The PT and the Sports Doctor did say the next thing to consider for me is seeing a neurologist but my PCP was against it as she felt there’s no need and this is currently acute. The SD was reluctant because she felt I wasn’t presenting additional red flag symptoms (like true clinical weakness) and again, rules it as an acute issue. The PT recommended it to get “peace of mind,” and she seemed to be the most encouraging of seeing a neurologist because she sees a lot of hand injuries/issues and isn’t very familiar with mine. (She has seen a lot of carpal tunnel, essential tremor, and Parkinson’s and said my issue isn’t consistent with those but she’s never seen ALS so she couldn’t rule it out.) Generally her POV left me very concerned and fuels a lot of my anxiety. I have had strength tests done at the start of PT (a pinch test and a grip test) and my readings came out within normal range. (Albeit I had a spasm after the pinch test which my PT felt and ruled was “mild.”)
While I have seen reduced spasming in the last 2 weeks since starting therapy, I have read of previous ALS incidents where a relatively minor and treatable finger issue (like trigger finger or a spasm in a thumb) can present first, then as weeks and months go on, weakness can follow which then in some cases has shown up to be ALS. This is admittedly driving me crazy and I find myself constantly assessing whether my strength is improving, getting worse or staying the same. While the spasms are reducing (I’ve gone many consecutive days without spasms now), I remain concerned that 8 weeks after the first occurrence, my middle finger still can’t seem to sustain pressure or isn’t always acting normally without some kind of spasm response with seemingly no answers why. I had 5 days with no spasm and then today experienced some inexplicably.
I would say I don’t officially have other symptoms. I have experienced some minor cramping in my right foot that comes and goes. My left hand has mostly been fine but my left thumb has experienced more stiffness and I feel a combination of a little twitch or tingle in it from time to time. The muscle in my right leg above my knee also felt a little weaker recently, but I have been running. I do have twitches in various parts of my body, but I would categorize these are very minor lasting a second or two at a time. None in my mouth. And prior to the finger spasm, I would have assumed the little random body twitches and twingles are normal. They don’t look like the spasms in my hand. I have read the moderator post and yes agree I am not showing very many classic signs but I also worry I could be missing something. My doctors haven’t been able to give me a root cause and have overall been somewhat dismissive towards me and that’s also fueling the anxiety that something more insidious is just waiting to present itself. I have actually tried to see a neurologist but my main hospital group is one of the top in the country and you have to meet certain criteria for them to consider seeing you. I’m seeing a hand specialist on Friday to see if perhaps at this point they think it’s necessary and if they feel a referral is useful.
Thank you so much for reading this post and answering if you have time. I have so much respect and admiration for this group. This disease is a villain and my heart goes out to individuals and families who must confront it every day. You are all incredible human beings.
While I have seen reduced spasming in the last 2 weeks since starting therapy, I have read of previous ALS incidents where a relatively minor and treatable finger issue (like trigger finger or a spasm in a thumb) can present first, then as weeks and months go on, weakness can follow which then in some cases has shown up to be ALS. This is admittedly driving me crazy and I find myself constantly assessing whether my strength is improving, getting worse or staying the same. While the spasms are reducing (I’ve gone many consecutive days without spasms now), I remain concerned that 8 weeks after the first occurrence, my middle finger still can’t seem to sustain pressure or isn’t always acting normally without some kind of spasm response with seemingly no answers why. I had 5 days with no spasm and then today experienced some inexplicably.
I would say I don’t officially have other symptoms. I have experienced some minor cramping in my right foot that comes and goes. My left hand has mostly been fine but my left thumb has experienced more stiffness and I feel a combination of a little twitch or tingle in it from time to time. The muscle in my right leg above my knee also felt a little weaker recently, but I have been running. I do have twitches in various parts of my body, but I would categorize these are very minor lasting a second or two at a time. None in my mouth. And prior to the finger spasm, I would have assumed the little random body twitches and twingles are normal. They don’t look like the spasms in my hand. I have read the moderator post and yes agree I am not showing very many classic signs but I also worry I could be missing something. My doctors haven’t been able to give me a root cause and have overall been somewhat dismissive towards me and that’s also fueling the anxiety that something more insidious is just waiting to present itself. I have actually tried to see a neurologist but my main hospital group is one of the top in the country and you have to meet certain criteria for them to consider seeing you. I’m seeing a hand specialist on Friday to see if perhaps at this point they think it’s necessary and if they feel a referral is useful.
Thank you so much for reading this post and answering if you have time. I have so much respect and admiration for this group. This disease is a villain and my heart goes out to individuals and families who must confront it every day. You are all incredible human beings.
