Left arm and left leg issues

[michaelsoli]

Hi everyone, I want to say firstly that I greatly respect and appreciate everything you are going through.

I don't want to seem insensitive so if I mistakingly am, please forgive me. I have read the top posts extensively and still feel the need to write this down just to maybe have someone ease my worries ( or not ).

I'm a 31 year old male and I just got back from the Neuro that did a full physical exam, and she told me to not worry, I DON'T have ALS. Physical exam came out without any issues.

However, I just can't shake the feeling that the doctor is missing something. It's crazy. When I go out for a walk or a run, I feel like my leg is weaker than the other. The left side of my body feels off. I get easy muscle cramping on the left side and feel pain in my knee pretty easily. If it were only the leg weakness, I'd be OK in my mind but the same thing is happening in my left arm. If feels plain old difficult to hold things in my hand for any extended period of time. As if my muscle was weaker. I don't have problems with micro-mouvements but general strength is just off and cramping / pain happens easily.

Also, I'm getting twitches but ONLY on the left side of the body.

Can ALS start out with muscle pain in the affected side of the body? Thank you kindly for your answers and sorry again if I'm being insensitive, I respect the battle you are going through and wish you the very best.

 

[ShiftKicker]

Hi there-

I would question how you thing some strangers on the internet will be able to reassure you when a specialist could not- even when she directly addressed your concerns about ALS. We would not disagree with someone who provided you a clinical exam and saw no weakness. If you read the Read Before Posting thread, you would understand that feeling weak is not the same as verified clinical weakness- which your doctor checked and saw nothing to concern her.

Perhaps an assessment by a physio to see if there are some adjustments to be made with regards to posture and exercise. If they see anything of concern as they track your strength over time, they can provide you with information to bring to your doctor.

Take care

 

[lgelb]

Weird one-sided feelings can also be associated with your sleep, including something as simple as needing a new/turning a mattress or pillow. You can video your sleep to see how things might be going, and, as noted, consider a physio evaluation.

 

[michaelsoli]

Thank you kindly for taking the time to answer. I'll go forward with a physio. Take care !

 

[MupstateNY]

Michael, it's understandable that you could feel anxious at this time. I have ALS, diagnosed in November, told by an ALS specialist in August that I definitively did not have ALS, so I can relate to what you're saying. I wish you luck in tracking down what the heck is going on with you. I hope you'll talk it over with your primary. When I was in limbo I went on an SSRI which helped a little bit. If your symptoms continue and no other explanation is found, then you may want to get an EMG and nerve conduction study.

I can't resolve your anxiety about your health, sorry! Sometimes it helps to keep a log of your observations. Some doctors allow the patient to be active in their care, looking with interest at the self-observations, more than others.

I gotta warn you, ALS evaluations usually drag on for months, so whatever you can do to stay positive and tolerate the uncertainty will be a big help for you.

Let's hope your symptoms have some other explanation than neuromuscular.

 

[affected]

Let's start with your statement: "I just got back from the Neuro that did a full physical exam, and she told me to not worry, I DON'T have ALS. Physical exam came out without any issues."

I'm going to stick with that. This person examined you and has crazy smarts and experience. All the things you report that are still worrying you since that statement are not diagnostic for ALS. The mind is powerful and yours is digging a big hole fast.

Diagnostic processes that drag on for months start with findings on clinical exam and EMG, not from being examined and finding nothing of note.

Please return to your PCP and talk openly of your symptoms, but ask them what is next and follow that path, not an internet investigation. For your own sake.

 

[michaelsoli]

Still two more weeks and a couple of days until I have my EMG. I've got swallowing issues and weakness / pain in my neck and left arm and left leg. I've got fasiculations only on the left side of my body and pretty terrible insomnia these past couple of months. I can't wait to get this EMG to know what I'm up against. Just wanted to vent here. Hoping for the best.

 

[Bestfriends14]

No need to update with non-ALS symptoms. Please do update, though, once you've had your EMG. I'm confident it will reinforce the fact that you do not have ALS, plus it helps other worriers see why certain symptoms do not mean one has ALS.

If you need to vent, please talk with a professional in between now and your appointment. They are there to help soothe people's fears, amongst other things.

Good luck

 

[KimT]

Hi Michael,

I'm very sorry you're going through health issues. An EMG is done for many reasons and can uncover a host of different things as well as rule out a bunch of things.

It's probably best to stay busy between now and your appointment since worry will just make things worse. When I read your first post I thought that you may have some gait issues or pain from running incorrectly. My niece is a physical therapist and even she had pain issues until she switched running shoes.

Hope they figure out what's wrong and that it's something simple to correct.

Best wishes.

 

[affected]

But you have already been told clearly that you don't have ALS.
The way this has now moved from an arm and leg to swallowing is a huge indicator that this is not ALS.

Please don't vent here - just come back and report your EMG results as it helps other anxious people.

In the meantime focus on: hydration, meditation, gentle exercise, nutrition, mindfulness and breathing. See if you can volunteer somewhere.
All these things can help.

 

[Clearwater AL]

Michael, Being just 31 years old it puts you in the frame of odds going
against having ALS. I'd bet your EMG will verify that because so much
replied to you should ease your mind. Let us know after the EMG and
post the Summary/Conclusion at the bottom of the report.

 

[michaelsoli]

I'll be sure to not forget to update here when I've got an EMG result. Thank you guys dearly for your listening and guidance.

 

[michaelsoli]

SUMMARY and CONCLUSION

Hello,

The EMG was done TODAY. Had a full checkup of the left side of my body. Left leg and left arm.
I've got Carpal Tunnel in my left hand and that's about it...

As for my left leg, maybe it's completely unrelated and something more to do with my running. I'll still have to dig a bit to find out what's happening but I'm going forward now with a newfoud calm and tranquility.

I'm thankful for all your insights and guidance throughout this.

To anybody reading this that is anxious about their symptoms : I've got a CLEAN EMG. This means NO ALS. I've got now two neurologists confirming that nothing neurological is wrong. If you are in the same kind of boat as me. Please, get an EMG and see a doctor if you're unsure of where you stand. This forum has been extremely anxiety inducing but also very kind and helpful with very generous souls that are here to listen.

To all the people that have ALS and that are still here trying to reassure people : You are amazing people, you are taking your time out of the day even if you're affected with this and I can't thank you enough. A special mention to KimT, your message was really filled with kindness.

Lots of love to you all !