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Paul1969

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Learn about ALS
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Hi people, my name is Paul and nice to meet you all thank you for allowing me into your community.

May I please seek advice before I head to a Neuro...

For the past 3-4 months, I have been getting crazy crazy twitches in my left arm and leg. When I lay on my bed the amount of twitching that is going on is like my muscles are having some kind of party! It is really annoying yet concerning at the same time. The muscle twitches seem to be worsening and of late my fingers are getting kinda stiff in both hands. Also as I lay here in bed now typing this my thigh muscle is twitching constantly. I have like a tight sensation in my left arm too when it twitches it just feels weird. I also have pain in my hands, mainly my thumb and some fingers feel painful at the joints.

I guess the only way to describe what my muscles feel like in my arm and thigh is that kinda light trembly feeling you get after being down the gym.

I have also had pain when I swallow for the past several months and it feels as if there is a lump in my throat on the left side. This is not subsiding but is remaining. My voice also becomes weak and hoarse for a few days at a time.

I am nervous I have early onset of Bulbar ALS and was wondering if my symptoms are indeed a cause of this?

I have read some posts on here and from what I gather with ALS no pain or sensations are associated with it however, I have read on other posts like this thread link below that pain is and can be associated with it, so when I read your sticky I get confused?

https://www.alsforums.com/forum/gen...519-question-about-bulbar-onset-symptoms.html

Some people who were diagnosed with ASL on the above thread do speak of muscle weakness and pains in the neck etc. So I am guessing pain can be associated with ALS?

Do these symptoms mean I should go see a neurologist and get a diagnosis?

I am extremely stressed and concerned.

Thank you gratefully Paul.
 
Paul,
Couple of pertinent questions:

a. Have you seen any doctors about this?
b. How old are you?
c. Is there any other major medical history you can share?

Thanks for reading the sticky post. You know that twitching is so common to so many conditions, that it is not diagnostic of ALS. Healthy people twitch.
The way you described your muscles leads me to think that your muscles are tense, and that can be painful.
The most common reason for twitching and tension is stress. Perhaps anxiety. You might not even know how stressed you are. Have there been changes? New house, school, job, girlfriend? Is there a stressful time approaching, such as spring break or a wedding?
ALS, you probably know, is a brain disease that destroys the nerves in the brain which would normally tell the voluntary muscles what to do. Since the nerve is destroyed, the muscle doesn’t move. That’s not painful. It appears as though the muscle is weak without feeling weak.
I see no reason to think you should be looking into ALS. You might be having a problem with nutrition, water, or electrolytes.

See your Family Physician to start. They are trained to lead a health investigation, and send you to whatever specialist is needed.
 
Hi Mr Atsugi,

Thanks for taking some time to reply to me. I am 50 years old and I have not seen any Doctor yet as I am scared and I wanted to run this all by you guys first before I do. If you feel it could be ALS I will go see a Neurologist. I did see a Neuro back in my late 30's and he did an EMG and another test as I was getting tingling in my hands. The tests showed I had carpel tunnel but this was 12 years ago.

Another 2 symptoms I have is a pressure/pain in the middle of my chest. It feels like someone is pushing down on the center of my chest and just holding it enough so I am conscious of it and my breathing. The other one I have is weird I have to say but lately, after I swallow I sometimes produce this weird sound like a Ghecco and I feel the sound is coming from deep within my throat/neck.

The twitches in my legs are basically constant when I lie down and the muscles feel tense like they are on the way to cramping but not fully cramped. They feel like they are hot/cold. Also, this sensation of a lump in my throat has now spread to a feeling in all of my throat. I have seen a doctor about my throat who found no soreness/infection or lump.

My biggest confusion is, as I said before in that it is said with ALS you do not FEEL weak, you ARE weak due to muscle failure. In all the research I am doing ALS does indeed come with sensations which include pains, tingling, cramps etc.

Just today whilst drinking coffee the cup felt so heavy and when I lift up my laptop it feels considerably heavier than before.

Thank you... Paul
 
Last edited:
Paul - go see a doctor.
 
Affected - As in an ALS one? Do you feel this could be early onset of ALS?
 
Nope. A regular one. I agree with both Tillie and Mike- see a doctor. Heavy chest and weird sensations are not indicative of ALS.
 
Paul I don't think you have any symptoms of ALS - but you have asked dying people to help you instead of going to a doctor and I think that is a bit rough.

Go see a doctor mate.
 
Hi
your symptoms are not specific to ALS. It's best to go to your doctor and let them lead the investigation. If you fixate on one specialism too early you can actually delay Getting the correct diagnosis. Let your doctor decide which way your symptoms could lead.
good luck
Wendy
 
Paul , my husband has PBP , his started with speech issue's. He never had any lump , or a sore throat .He still doesn't. He just can't speak or swallow .We saw numerous doctor's , and he endured many test.
 
Thanks for your replies and for taking my concerns seriously.

Livealot, I am sorry to hear about your husband and my heart is with you.

I have now booked an appointment with my doctor, as I am also feeling week at the knee joint, it feels like I have overworked my thigh muscle down the gym now and it feels weak, tight and I feel like the muscle is moving even though it is not. This scares me as I understand this can be an ALS symptom.

Thank you for your responses everyone

Paul
 
My, twitches are increasing, my face has now started and when I just nearly close my jaw it trembles.

I saw a Doctor today and had complete blood chemistry done including electrolytes etc. All were clear. The Dr. was non-commital about my ALS fears and said if want I should go see a Neurologist if I have concerns. I will now book a Neuro.

Thanks Paul
 
Paul,
You do realize that the doc's response means that he does not see ALS symptoms. Neither do we. You are not describing ALS at all. Lots of people twitch and for lots of different reasons. Twitches are so common that you simply can not diagnosis anything based on twitches. Follow up with your doc or a specialist but we do not see any need for you to worry about ALS.
Tracy
 
Paul,

You are not describing ALS one tiny bit. Seriously, nothing at all. I agree with others who have replied here that you are not exhibiting symptoms whatsoever. If your doctor was worried about ALS, they would have fast tracked you to a neurologist. My husband was fast tracked to a neurologist in 2 and a half weeks. This neurologist is an ALS specialist who typically has a year and a half wait list. Do you see the distinction? In other words, your fears are unfounded and your GP most likely feels the same, hence the super long wait to get to see a neurologist.

Lucky you to not have ALS. You are in the prime of your life and top earning potential of your entire career; you should enjoy it. Many others here would give anything to be in your shoes. You can strike ALS from your list and continue to seek answers that would be more beneficial in helping you through your current symptoms.

Take good care
 
Please read my first reply here - mate you do not have ALS.
 
Thank you all for your replies and I mean no disrespect to those of you dealing with this awful illness.

I am in the process of booking a Neuro appointment and will not post again unless my update is significant and relevant to this forum.

In my mind, I am still deeply concerned as for me I have major symptoms namely, very brisk reflexes, constant twitching everywhere, throat issues, muscles feeling like they have been worked out down the gym etc. My theory which I find plausible for my muscles is the fact that if they are deteriorating ( cant see it visually yet) and are getting smaller basic moves will seem to be harder because the muscle is working harder as there will be less of it. If this is the case then they surely would feel like I have had a gym workout, after which the muscle would feel tense and trembly.

I apologize if I have offended anyone and all I can say is that I hope you're all right and I am indeed fine. If any significant deterioration or findings occur I will update you.

Lots of love... Paul
 
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