jm5834
Member
- Joined
- Apr 15, 2019
- Messages
- 12
- Reason
- Learn about ALS
- Diagnosis
- 00/0000
- Country
- US
- State
- VA
- City
- Lynchburg
Well for starters I found this website in a state of my panic and have read others threads about similar symptoms in a search for reassurance. I have been very apprehensive about posting here because I know a lot of people are probably just overexcited or scared and have convinced themselves they have this horrible disease and maybe that's all I have done too, I don't even know at this point. And btw ,my heart goes out to all Pals and Cals, I hope and pray for a cure or at the very least better treatments in the very near future.
Now to give a little background about myself I am a 27 year old male, no family history of als to my knowledge, who does construction and have worked out for about the past 3 years 5 days a week so I guess you could say Im a pretty active guy. Well up until about November then I started slacking off and haven't worked out regular since.
But enough rambling, this all started back at the end of January. I thought it was a disease that happened exclusively in middle aged people to older people but I happened to watch a documentary that was about younger people (my age and younger) who are suffering with it. And my hearts just went out to all of them, to see people living with it I just felt a great sympathy for them and it kinda shook me up to see it.
Anyway fast forward a few days and I start getting what I perceive as a clumsiness/weakness in my hands. Frequently dropping tools at work, and what I felt like was a weakened grip. But at that time I wasn't too worried, thought hey its all in my head, I'm just more aware because I saw that documentary.
But them my muscles started twitching around Febuary 14th. Started with mostly one thump twitches and progressed to more frequent. They were mostly in my calves at first and at times constant, never stopping. And very fine twitches in my calves. I felt them and then I looked at them which freaked me out even more. They have moved all around, neck, back, butt, thighs, shins, hands ,feet, stomach. Although they seem to have gotten less frequent, which I would think is a good sign.
Symptoms since end of January:
-Stiff muscles, especially calves and thighs.
-Extreme fatigue, sometimes I feel like I'm gonna go to sleep behind the wheel on the way home from work
-Muscle pain and cramping, mostly hands and feet
-Somewhat of a nasal speech that comes and goes( my fiancée says I sound normal) Neuro said probably allergies
-My hands look thinner, almost wasted between thumb and pointer finger
Well anyway I made an appointment with a neurologist and saw her back in Febuary for the first time I believe it was and she was very kind and understanding but somewhat dismissive saying that it would be incredibly rare for someone my age, and that its not the first time she has seen a patient around my age with the same worries. Anyway she did a pretty thorough clinical and said everything checked out.
Took her at her word, but my symptoms didn't quit so I ended up back, this time requesting an EMG to which she refused. I don't have any insurance and she said it would be criminal for her to do one. That it was expensive and unnecessary , but for me I was willing to pay just for the peace of mind. But she still refused to do it.
Well I went back Tuesday and she didn't really seem concerned still. Didn't really do a full clinical just checked my knee reflexes, and arms, and foot strength. Looked at my soft palate after my complaints of nasal speech and said it rose symmetrically and looked totally normal. She put me on Lexapro to treat my anxiety which I just started yesterday, fingers crossed it will start working soon.
My fiancée and parents seem to think I'm crazy, but the symptoms are real and I just have this feeling of impending doom. I thought of going and getting a second opinion but I cant even afford it because of what I already owe for medical bills not to mention I would have to wait probably at least a month. I had my blood tested( thyroid was normal, and no vitamin deficiencies),
Physical from GP, 3 Neuro appts. (no EMG, because she refused it). And also some appointments with a counselor and now having to pay for meds (all out of pocket). Im getting married in 3 weeks, and now I have a child on the way and I feel like I should be enjoying these times but I cant even seem to because I cant shake this worry.
And if I didn't have the symptoms I wouldn't be worried but the symptoms just seem to keep getting worse. Anyway, any insights or thoughts would be appreciated, and again my heart goes out to anyone dealing with this disease. I pray for a cure very soon.
Now to give a little background about myself I am a 27 year old male, no family history of als to my knowledge, who does construction and have worked out for about the past 3 years 5 days a week so I guess you could say Im a pretty active guy. Well up until about November then I started slacking off and haven't worked out regular since.
But enough rambling, this all started back at the end of January. I thought it was a disease that happened exclusively in middle aged people to older people but I happened to watch a documentary that was about younger people (my age and younger) who are suffering with it. And my hearts just went out to all of them, to see people living with it I just felt a great sympathy for them and it kinda shook me up to see it.
Anyway fast forward a few days and I start getting what I perceive as a clumsiness/weakness in my hands. Frequently dropping tools at work, and what I felt like was a weakened grip. But at that time I wasn't too worried, thought hey its all in my head, I'm just more aware because I saw that documentary.
But them my muscles started twitching around Febuary 14th. Started with mostly one thump twitches and progressed to more frequent. They were mostly in my calves at first and at times constant, never stopping. And very fine twitches in my calves. I felt them and then I looked at them which freaked me out even more. They have moved all around, neck, back, butt, thighs, shins, hands ,feet, stomach. Although they seem to have gotten less frequent, which I would think is a good sign.
Symptoms since end of January:
-Stiff muscles, especially calves and thighs.
-Extreme fatigue, sometimes I feel like I'm gonna go to sleep behind the wheel on the way home from work
-Muscle pain and cramping, mostly hands and feet
-Somewhat of a nasal speech that comes and goes( my fiancée says I sound normal) Neuro said probably allergies
-My hands look thinner, almost wasted between thumb and pointer finger
Well anyway I made an appointment with a neurologist and saw her back in Febuary for the first time I believe it was and she was very kind and understanding but somewhat dismissive saying that it would be incredibly rare for someone my age, and that its not the first time she has seen a patient around my age with the same worries. Anyway she did a pretty thorough clinical and said everything checked out.
Took her at her word, but my symptoms didn't quit so I ended up back, this time requesting an EMG to which she refused. I don't have any insurance and she said it would be criminal for her to do one. That it was expensive and unnecessary , but for me I was willing to pay just for the peace of mind. But she still refused to do it.
Well I went back Tuesday and she didn't really seem concerned still. Didn't really do a full clinical just checked my knee reflexes, and arms, and foot strength. Looked at my soft palate after my complaints of nasal speech and said it rose symmetrically and looked totally normal. She put me on Lexapro to treat my anxiety which I just started yesterday, fingers crossed it will start working soon.
My fiancée and parents seem to think I'm crazy, but the symptoms are real and I just have this feeling of impending doom. I thought of going and getting a second opinion but I cant even afford it because of what I already owe for medical bills not to mention I would have to wait probably at least a month. I had my blood tested( thyroid was normal, and no vitamin deficiencies),
Physical from GP, 3 Neuro appts. (no EMG, because she refused it). And also some appointments with a counselor and now having to pay for meds (all out of pocket). Im getting married in 3 weeks, and now I have a child on the way and I feel like I should be enjoying these times but I cant even seem to because I cant shake this worry.
And if I didn't have the symptoms I wouldn't be worried but the symptoms just seem to keep getting worse. Anyway, any insights or thoughts would be appreciated, and again my heart goes out to anyone dealing with this disease. I pray for a cure very soon.
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