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WHanes

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Hello all,

Was wondering if any of you would be so kind as to tell me whether the troubles I've been dealing with in my hand/arm could be caused by ALS.

This hand stuff all started only a week ago. I've had twitching EVERYWHERE for a year so, used to be worse but it's definitely still there. Anyway, my thumb started feeling funny last week, a bit stiff. Then I had a bit of an odd pain start in my wrist. Sometimes it radiates into my forearm it seems. And now I always feel like I need to sit on my hand or have it in my pocket or do something with it just because it feels so uncomfortable and for some reason that helps. Sometimes my arm seems really heavy too.

After a few days, I've felt as though I can't control my hand as well, though I can still do the things I need to do with it. Something's going on in my first 3 fingers as well , it's like there's buzzing or something weird going on in there. I hope this isn't the "see but can't feel" twitches I've heard of... Especially because of the location and other symptoms. I've had a few other weird sensations in my hand too. I'm just really worried.

I called my Dr. today and got myself a neurologist appointment for early June. But that's so far away. I'm just really worried about this
Any input would be greatly appreciated.
 
I don't see anything worrisome in your symptoms. Sensory symptoms (buzzing, pain, numbness, etc.) point away from ALS. If you had true weakness you would know it. It wouldn't "feel" difficult to do something, you simply couldn't do it. You should see a neuromuscular specialist and not a regular neurologist, otherwise you will be second guessing your exam and findings.

Best to you. I'm sure you will be fine.

Vince
 
So if it were ALS I wouldn't "feel" anything strange but rather just fail to do things and not know why?
 
I've something similar going on with my hand. It's really scaring me too. I've also got some leg issues... Would be interested to hear what turns out to be your problem...
 
Classof2015 please read the stickies and note this is not a general health forum. You must stick to your own thread, rather than discuss your non ALS symptoms with other scared people. There are health anxiety forums that allow you to do that. You may ask in your own thread here and we will answer, then if it is not sounding like ALS you need to leave.

WHanes I'm so pleased to tell you that this sounds nothing like ALS. You truly don't start feeling things are wrong, things simple go wrong, they stop working.

It is good you are going to see a neurologist. In the meantime concentrate on lots of living. It seems a long time but many of us here that were diagnosed had to wait months between appointments.

all the best
 
So if it were ALS I wouldn't "feel" anything strange but rather just fail to do things and not know why?


That's right. You see, ALS destroys the nerves in your brain that tell the hand muscles to contract. (The only nerves affected are the motor nerves, not the sensory nerves.) So that muscle simply doesn't work anymore. You don't get a "feeling" at all.

There's no feeling of weakness, heaviness, pain, buzzing, or strange feeling. Your muscle simply doesn't contract anymore.

I don't know what you've got, but it isn't ALS.
 
Affected, you're right. I should stick to my own forum, it's just that this individual's symptoms were very similar to the ones that I'm experiencing, and I wanted to connect in hopes of getting some clues as to what my problem is. I'm confident now in saying what Atsugi said to the OP.... I don't know what I have, but it's not ALS.

Before I go, I'd like to express my gratitude to all of you who took the time to read and respond to my posts. It meant a lot to me and you should all be very proud of yourselves for the compassion you showed a stranger. Thank you, so very much. My journey isn't over yet, I still need to get to the bottom of this, but at least I can put this disease out of my mind.
 
Affected, Atsugi:

Thank you so much for shedding some light on my symptoms. So ALS doesn't attack the peripheral nerves at all, just the brain and spinal cord? And all symptoms are a result of that?
 
Correct, ALS attacks the motor neurones in 2 areas - the brain and the spinal cord.

The neurones die and so the muscles die.

All the best in June, in the meantime relax as much as you can and enjoy life. If you have ALS that's it, terminal with no cure. Right now you have everything to live for!
 
hey blue and gold, i live around lewisburg wv is that any where near sandyville?
 
I think you are about 2.5 hours south of me. I'm right in between Charleston and Parkersburg.
 
Atsugi, Affected:

So, last question before I go until my appointment, so I can have an idea of what's on the table and what's not...

In your own experience, the symptoms I've mentioned don't point towards ALS? I know only a Dr. can give me definitive answers but do you think ALS should be something I should consider a potential diagnosis?
 
Atsugi, Affected:

but do you think ALS should be something I should consider a potential diagnosis?

NO ONE here even remotely thinks ALS is on the table. Stop with the ALS already.
 
Mediasmart

What a relief! Thanks everyone for your time.
 
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