BetterThanThis
New member
- Joined
- May 1, 2022
- Messages
- 1
- Reason
- Learn about ALS
- Diagnosis
- 00/0000
- Country
- US
Hi all, looking to more or less get some concerns off of my chest because one of the most insidious things about this already horrifying disease is the waiting.
Starting in 2016, I noticed that, seemingly out of the blue, I began to have fasciculations all over my body but primarily focused on the right side of my body. In addition to this, I noticed that my right arm began to feel, not weaker per say, but out of place or just didn't respond as well to stimuli as my left arm; while I still able to do everything I wanted to with both arms, I noticed, when working out, that the right arm often fatigued more rapidly than the left. Finally, and this may be subjective, but I noticed that it appeared that my right arm and right leg where smaller than their counterparts on the left.
Of course, I am a hypochondriac so I immediately presented these findings to my PCP who didn't note anything physically out of the ordinary but still wanted a neurological consult. Long story short, I received an EMG and the nerve conduction studies were normal, or at least within normal range. Figuring this was conclusive enough, I was somewhat assured that I was free of the lurking scourge that is ALS and attempted to return to my normal routine. All the while my right arm and shoulder never improved, but didn't appear to worsen either. At least, not until recently.
A few months ago, I noticed that my coordination with my right arm seemed to be getting worse and I began having some minute shoulder soreness and pain after doing most activities that involved my right arm. I have taken aspirin multiple times to attempt to alleviate the pain in case there is any inflammation but the only thing that seems to cause the soreness to subside is simply not doing anything strenuous with the right arm. Around the same time, another symptom kicked up: cramps. For the past 40-60 days, I have gotten multiple cramps essentially every day, and while they're not enough to stop me dead in my tracks, they are still noticeable and cause me both mental and physical discomfort.
As it stands, I am presently awaiting an appointment with my PCP so that I may get a referral for another neurological consult. I know that most people on here are not doctors, but I just wanted to give my brain some room to vent as until I hear otherwise, this seems like the textbook onset of the disease nobody would wish on another human being. At any rate, I hope any and all who took the time to read this have a good day and thank you for setting aside a spot on this forum for people like me to gnash our teeth in lieu of driving ourselves sick with worry. All the best!
Starting in 2016, I noticed that, seemingly out of the blue, I began to have fasciculations all over my body but primarily focused on the right side of my body. In addition to this, I noticed that my right arm began to feel, not weaker per say, but out of place or just didn't respond as well to stimuli as my left arm; while I still able to do everything I wanted to with both arms, I noticed, when working out, that the right arm often fatigued more rapidly than the left. Finally, and this may be subjective, but I noticed that it appeared that my right arm and right leg where smaller than their counterparts on the left.
Of course, I am a hypochondriac so I immediately presented these findings to my PCP who didn't note anything physically out of the ordinary but still wanted a neurological consult. Long story short, I received an EMG and the nerve conduction studies were normal, or at least within normal range. Figuring this was conclusive enough, I was somewhat assured that I was free of the lurking scourge that is ALS and attempted to return to my normal routine. All the while my right arm and shoulder never improved, but didn't appear to worsen either. At least, not until recently.
A few months ago, I noticed that my coordination with my right arm seemed to be getting worse and I began having some minute shoulder soreness and pain after doing most activities that involved my right arm. I have taken aspirin multiple times to attempt to alleviate the pain in case there is any inflammation but the only thing that seems to cause the soreness to subside is simply not doing anything strenuous with the right arm. Around the same time, another symptom kicked up: cramps. For the past 40-60 days, I have gotten multiple cramps essentially every day, and while they're not enough to stop me dead in my tracks, they are still noticeable and cause me both mental and physical discomfort.
As it stands, I am presently awaiting an appointment with my PCP so that I may get a referral for another neurological consult. I know that most people on here are not doctors, but I just wanted to give my brain some room to vent as until I hear otherwise, this seems like the textbook onset of the disease nobody would wish on another human being. At any rate, I hope any and all who took the time to read this have a good day and thank you for setting aside a spot on this forum for people like me to gnash our teeth in lieu of driving ourselves sick with worry. All the best!