Foot drop

[Jselliott07]

I wish I had a better update but sadly I’m back. I am still having all the fasciculations and twitching, but instead of all over it’s now seemed to settled in my right leg, mostly the back of my knee. My newest probably scariest symptom now is what seems to be either the beginning of foot drop or just weakness in general. Yesterday when trying to drive home, when I would try to push on the petals my lower leg would shake uncontrollably. I ended up having to use the other leg to push the petal because my right leg would just shake and couldn't get it. I got home and was just defeated. I feel like this is the final nail in the coffin. I called my neuro and he is out of town until Monday but the nurse is forwarding to the clinic case manager to get me a sooner appointment (the appt I’ve been waiting for isn’t until March). I’ve never felt lower in my whole life. I’m scared. Hopeless. Sad. Defeated. I have 4 really awesome kids and a great husband, family I want to be with.
Today the shaking is still the same. I had hoped it’d be better when I woke up but it’s still there. Is this the beginning of what foot drop or just weakness in general is like? My old post wasn’t able to comment on or I would of written on there.
Anything else I should be doing in the meantime? Specialists to see or things to get in order? Thanks for your help and kindness.

 

[Jselliott07]

I should also add I’ve felt a little off standing on my feet for a little while but have just pushed it off. Just a little mis balanced, slightly unstable, but have never fallen or not been able to catch myself with my own strength.
My neuro nurse said to go into the ER or my primary in the meantime, but I feel like if I go into the ER they won’t really be able to do anything for me. I feel like I’m in shock. I can’t focus. I don’t have energy. I just feel down. And I really don’t want to pay for an ER visit if it’s not warranted

 

[grounded]

Can you stand on your heels?

 

[Jselliott07]

Yes I can

 

[grounded]

If you can stand on your heals, no way, no how do you have foot drop.

 

[Bestfriends14]

How's it going seeking professional help for your health anxiety? That's where you need to focus your time. Badly.

 

[ShiftKicker]

Previous threads here for those who wish to see full history and answers received in the past:

Unsure and scared

Hi guys. This is my first time posting on here and I don’t fully know what to say. The last year I’ve had fasciculations that started out of nowhere. Started on my leg and moved to my whole body. I had an emg done that doc said looked normal but cut to now, I saw my neuro today and he notated...

www.alsforums.com

Back muscle atrophy and scared

I’m not even sure where to start I’m just so terrified. I’ll start with saying I appreciate everyone’s time and effort to share wisdom and knowledge with me. I’ve had a very uneven back muscle for possibly a year now, not 100% sure. I just noticed it one time and it has just continued to vanish...

www.alsforums.com

Shaking muscles and second opinion

Hi there. I’ve been off for a bit but I chatted with my doc and had a question. My other thread was closed and I’m not sure how to merge the two. I am 34 and have had issues that have kept worsening. I have one sided back atrophy and now wrist and shoulder atrophy. When I try to engage they...

www.alsforums.com

It looks like in your last thread in May folks asked you to return once you'd received results from your most recent EMG- have you received that? What did the summary/conclusion state?

 

[Nikki J]

Whatever this is ( and agree someone with footdrop can’t heel walk) you should not drive. Your other foot is not trained to respond to an emergency

agree with you not to go to the ED but a pcp visit would be appropriate

 

[affected]

Shaking leg is not footdrop, but it does sound very much like a panic attack.
Please see your doctor immediately and explain clearly how much your fear is affecting you. I can only imagine how terrified you are but this is never how ALS happens.

 

[Jselliott07]

Thank you for your responses. I was nervous to post again. I saw my primary today that noted weakness in right leg, is ordering an mri to check into it and sending a letter to the neuro to request a repeat emg.

Grounded- thank you. Heels are fine, the issue seems to be in pointing my foot, lowering my foot. Like tip toe standing.

Bestfriends- I’ve been seeing a counselor and it’s going well and I have some medication I can start taking.

Shiftkicker- my EMG was delayed. My husband got covid and the clinic canceled my appointment, and his next one available is the one in March, but Monday hopefully the case manager can find a quicker appointment for me.

Nikki- agreed. I won’t drive until this is figured out or I’m cleared with my docs.

Affected- yes I have medication for my fear. At the time my leg was doing it I wasn’t thinking or having a panic attack but I know that can cause crazy things to happen.

 

[lgelb]

While your fears are understandable, these are matters for your PCP and still do not resemble ALS. There are many things that can cause shakiness, most of them very treatable, and they include psychoactive medication(s) that you may be taking. Of course, you should not drive if you cannot do so safely.

After two years of issues and negative neurological findings, it might be time for a new PCP who is interested in ruling out systemic disease, nutritional imbalances, sleep disorders and the like. I am glad you are doing counseling but assuming you do not have neurological disease, it seems like your evident depression/anxiety could have some physiological roots, that might also relate to your physical issues.

Best,
Laurie

 

[Jselliott07]

I agree, I think I need a new pcp to help me get to the bottom of this. He did notate weakness on the leg I wrote in about, so that alarms me but hopefully I can see my neuro soon and get his thoughts.
I also have extreme muscle mass loss on the inside of my arms, underneath the biceps. I think it’s technically called the bracialis muscle. It’s completely gone and very noticeable. It’s hard to try and stay calm when the appt to get answers is so long away, and part of me is scared to hear something I don’t want to hear. Thank you for all the help and suggestions, it’s so helpful.

 

[affected]

Please, 2 years and 35 posts. There is not a single thing we can do and you should not keep posting here.

 

[Clearwater AL]

Jselliott, you have posted 35 messages over two years

Until you get a new PCP, see a Neurologist who may order an EMG there
is nothing more for you to post here again.

The best thing you can do until then is to log off from this Forum.... don't
linger around reading old threads searching for some connection to your
symptoms. Several very ALS knowledgeable members have told you your
symptoms have not added up to ALS.

I hope a new PCP may help you and seeing a Neurologist and possibly
have an EMG will find you a diagnosis of the numerous diseases that are
not ALS. Even a diagnosis of very severe Health Anxiety.

Until then...