anna1980 said:
Hi, I'm 26 girl from Poland.I am scared to death bacause Im probably have ALS.My problems started in mai this year with a horrible headaches.I felt like all my muscles of my head and face gripping so strong.It was every 24/7 till september.Ive done MRI and other medicals.No one knows why and what was that.Now since the half of september i feel my muscles on my hands, abdomn and legs are very wick.Atfer these appeared pain of my aye balls, first right then my left.At the same time i started to feel cramps on my right chick, right hand and leg-sometimes itching.Now i have problems with my left back part tongue its hard to put the food to throat and swollow.Im sure Im ALS and Im so scared.all my muscles are moving, i feel pain of my both side of tongue and legs musceles.Im so scared,what do you think about these symptoms?
Hi Ann,
Headaches are almost never the first signs of ALS. That is not to say that people with headaches don't have ALS, but it is usually one of the last signs of ALS, when your breathing muscles get so weak, that there is too much carbon dioxide in your blood, and you will first notice it when you wake up in the morning, and as your lung's vital capacity gets down to around 30% of normal, you will have bad headaches all day, and must make a decision if you want to go on some kind of ventilation, like Bipap, or a tracheotomy. Do you have breathing problems?
If your muscles are moving, do mean that your muscles are twitching, or in other words, moving involuntarily (without your help), and does this happen, only when you are laying down, or does it stop if you stand or walk?
Eye problems can be a sign of ALS, but in addition to pain, they should feel dry. Do they feel dry too?
If you are having a hard time putting food down your throat and swallow, it could mean ALS, but it could also be Myasthenia Gravis and other neurologic conditions.
Does the pain on both side of your tongue and legs muscles change during the day, or is the pain constant? In almost all cases of ALS, the muscles will cramp, and will give you pain, but not all day long.
I understand why you are scared, but try and relax. Maybe I can help you more, if you can answer my questions.
Conrad