Hand issues

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Radiofox

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Jan 8, 2023
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Learn about ALS
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NJ
Hello Everyone.
My name is Dennis(35). I'm embarrassed to be that guy, but I've been freaking out for over a week.
I was putting a tone of strain on my hands working on a project in my house. My left hand spasm and my middle, index finger, and thumb contracted involuntarily. Since then my hand has felt stiff. Particularly worst in the morning along with my anxiety. When I wiggle my fingers, it feels tingling on top of my hand.
I fear I'll wake up one day and will no longer have use of my hand. A few days later there has been tingling in my left ankle and foot. I don't understand these sensations. Are there common hand injuries that wouldn't be some neurological disease that have these symptoms?

I'll see my PCP on Monday(1/16). I'll try to figure it out from there.
I read the stickies. And it has helped. And I don't mean to jump to concluding I have some terminal illness. One of my favorite online personalities suffers from ALS. I guess once these symptoms happened to me, I thought of him. My anxieties just blew up. Thanks for taking a read at another repetitive post. My apologises.
 
I'm glad you're seeing your PCP, who may refer you to a hand specialist for what is most likely an overuse injury. Likewise, if you were standing, crawling, or otherwise positioned for a while in a way you're not used to, that could account for the L ankle/foot problems.

I see no reason to worry about ALS.

Best,
Laurie
 
Hi Dennis - truly sounds like you can already see the link between the house project work and what you are now experiencing.
Let us know how it goes at the PCP. I think you know that until you have a clinical exam there isn't really much anyone can say or guess apart from that obvious link.
 
Hello everyone.

I visit my doctor last night. She seemed to be unimpressed with my worries. She order the usual lab work and I have to see a therapist after explaining my health anxietie.

Though some dexterity has return to my left hand, there’s a tingling sensation when pressure is applied to my thumb, middle finger, and index that shoots up to my elbow and bicep. Grabbing stuff feels awkward. Follow up is on Friday. I’ll ask more questions then.

I can see why anxieties runs high here in the “could it be als“ section.
Upon reading about symptoms, I’m hyper aware of my walking stride trying not to trip because of “drop foot”. Feeling twitching all over my body. Left ankle and foot feels weak just days after hurting my hand. My feet have been tingling. Oh well. Take care and much love to everyone. I’ll update again next Friday to see if doctor addresses more of my concerns.
 
Do update after the follow up.
The great news is that all things you just reported have absolutely nothing to do with ALS.
PALS don't feel weak, or feeling tingling and awkward. You already know that as you read the sticky post I'm sure.
All the best - practicing meditation or mindfulness exercises can help reduce the hyperaware stuff.
 
Please have a thin paper bag on hand for tingling, if it is hyperventilation -- which you can avoid by breathing deep and slooow, without raising your shoulders. Hyperventilation is pretty common with anxiety. Once hypervent. has occurred, you can feel better relatively quickly by closing off the air entry with the bag, and breathing in and out with the bag in place. Best of luck to you.
 
Hey MupstateNY and everyone.

Sorry to bother. I had another visit with my primary doctor who is convinced that my injury is nothing more than a local nerve injury. Heck when I tap my palm, I can feel a shock in my elbows. However, it is insane how much anxitey these sensations have brought me. From the first week I felt hand weakness, I had sensations of heavy foot, tingling all over, twitching, and I thought I was going to lose the use of my foot. I don't know what could cause hand and feet weakness in under three weeks, but I'm going to have to take my doctors word for it. Her clinical exam and blood test revealed nothing. She felt if I got a referral to the neurologist, it would just feed into my anxieties. She wants me to try healthy life style changes first and see her back in a month.

Take care everyone.
 
Great news, and your symptoms fit this.
PALS don't get shocks along nerves by tapping parts of their bodies.

Put all you can into working on mindfulness and a healthy lifestyle, it will be the best investment you can make.
 
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