jj93
New member
- Joined
- Jul 9, 2018
- Messages
- 2
- Reason
- Learn about ALS
- Country
- US
- State
- CA
- City
- San Mateo
Hi guys,
My name is Julia, I have not been diagnosed with ALS, but have had these symptoms.
In Late April I started having clumsiness and heaviness in my legs where it felt like I had elephant feet. Initially I had some numbness from my chin to my knees ( I know this is not a typical symptoms of ALS so I figure its somehow related to my vitamin deficiencies). Later on in May, I developed symptoms of stiffness/muscle tightness in my legs, trunk and arms/shoulders. Clinically, I had increased knee reflexes and reduced wrist reflexes, negative babinski's sign, reduced grip strength. I have not seen my neurologist for almost 2 months and he did not evaluate my strength during my last visit.
For the past month, I have pain, stiffness my right shoulder and it feels weaker than my left. My right arm is noticeably smaller compared to my left. I’m right handed. Hand writing and typing is difficult at work. I also have difficult time lifting things or reaching above my head. I was at work a few days ago and started twitching all over my entire body including my face. The twitching is mostly in my R arm, glutes, calves and quads and has been ongoing since then.
This last week it's been really bad, it's hard to fall asleep. Lately, I have been feeling shaky and it's been harder to walk every day. I feel mild soreness in the areas where I'm twitching. Is this normal? This is really weird, it seems like I was stable for 3 months besides the recent shoulder pain and suddenly I am declining really fast.
Has anyone with ALS experienced anything like this?
Before these symptoms started, I had some neuro workup done. MRI brain was normal (February 2018). Bloodwork was negative for MS and Lupus. However I had slight deficiency in vitamin B12 and vitamin D. Electro diagnostic studies were done on my arms which basically showed I have mild CTS in my right hand and chronic neck problems (March 2018). Imaging studies on my neck were consistent with the EKG of my R arm which was slightly abnormal for my age (I'm 24 years old).
I thought maybe my symptoms were related to my neck problems. In May, I saw a spine specialist who reviewed my cervical MRI and took neck X-ray. In her opinion, my spine did not account for any of my recent symptoms. She suggested that I could have another neurological problem like MS or ALS. In June, I had an MRI of my T-spine done, this came back negative for MS. I am going to have a spinal tap done soon. If this comes back negative it means that I most likely do not have MS. I am concerned that I have ALS because my symptoms have been worsening.
I'm 24 and I live with my parents who are in their late 60s. I'm trying not to scare them but I am almost certain that I have ALS. I don’t have any health benefits at the job I currently working at a part time scribe not to mention the pay is awful even thought i really enjoy it. So I’m worried about financial/psychological burden on my family.
I will see my GP and Neurologist later this month. I'm not diagnosed yet. I hope to get some answers soon. I hope to hear back from you all!
My name is Julia, I have not been diagnosed with ALS, but have had these symptoms.
In Late April I started having clumsiness and heaviness in my legs where it felt like I had elephant feet. Initially I had some numbness from my chin to my knees ( I know this is not a typical symptoms of ALS so I figure its somehow related to my vitamin deficiencies). Later on in May, I developed symptoms of stiffness/muscle tightness in my legs, trunk and arms/shoulders. Clinically, I had increased knee reflexes and reduced wrist reflexes, negative babinski's sign, reduced grip strength. I have not seen my neurologist for almost 2 months and he did not evaluate my strength during my last visit.
For the past month, I have pain, stiffness my right shoulder and it feels weaker than my left. My right arm is noticeably smaller compared to my left. I’m right handed. Hand writing and typing is difficult at work. I also have difficult time lifting things or reaching above my head. I was at work a few days ago and started twitching all over my entire body including my face. The twitching is mostly in my R arm, glutes, calves and quads and has been ongoing since then.
This last week it's been really bad, it's hard to fall asleep. Lately, I have been feeling shaky and it's been harder to walk every day. I feel mild soreness in the areas where I'm twitching. Is this normal? This is really weird, it seems like I was stable for 3 months besides the recent shoulder pain and suddenly I am declining really fast.
Has anyone with ALS experienced anything like this?
Before these symptoms started, I had some neuro workup done. MRI brain was normal (February 2018). Bloodwork was negative for MS and Lupus. However I had slight deficiency in vitamin B12 and vitamin D. Electro diagnostic studies were done on my arms which basically showed I have mild CTS in my right hand and chronic neck problems (March 2018). Imaging studies on my neck were consistent with the EKG of my R arm which was slightly abnormal for my age (I'm 24 years old).
I thought maybe my symptoms were related to my neck problems. In May, I saw a spine specialist who reviewed my cervical MRI and took neck X-ray. In her opinion, my spine did not account for any of my recent symptoms. She suggested that I could have another neurological problem like MS or ALS. In June, I had an MRI of my T-spine done, this came back negative for MS. I am going to have a spinal tap done soon. If this comes back negative it means that I most likely do not have MS. I am concerned that I have ALS because my symptoms have been worsening.
I'm 24 and I live with my parents who are in their late 60s. I'm trying not to scare them but I am almost certain that I have ALS. I don’t have any health benefits at the job I currently working at a part time scribe not to mention the pay is awful even thought i really enjoy it. So I’m worried about financial/psychological burden on my family.
I will see my GP and Neurologist later this month. I'm not diagnosed yet. I hope to get some answers soon. I hope to hear back from you all!
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