muscle cramping, previous dysphagia, dropping items

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That's all pointing so completely away from ALS - great to hear!
Read the file again that we pointed you to in the beginning it really should reassure you.
Come back after you have all the results from the neurologist, we can't do anything else really. All the very best, I'm sure they will work this out and treat it for you.
 
Hi affected , thanks for the feedback, I think after all the worry and thinking it through whats the worst is the sudden bilateral spasticity in my arms as from what Ive read is most likely due to some sort of nervous system damage. I am clear on a few things as it pertains to ALS though. The twitches mean nothing without failure, the left leg issue/dysphagia coming and going wouldnt fit ALS because it wouldnt come and go.
Yes the next step is a neurologist though Im having trouble making an appointment since they are so backlogged at the VA. But I will update what happens after that appointment. Thanks all for the feedback , God bless you all.
 
Did a doctor detect spasticity? I do not see it in your description. Tight muscles are not necessarily spastic ones most often they are something else
 
Hi Nikki, I only spoke with my PCP on the phone and told him my arms suddenly began to feel tight at rest and were cramping up with any heavy exertion, and that I had been to the ER which showed normal bloodwork , no dehydration, clean head CT, he then referred me to a neurologist. So he did not examine me physically.
 
Thanks Ben - spasticity needs to be diagnosed by a doctor examination. You are cherry picking things you read and trying to make what you feel fit into where you think you are at. If there were any great concern over your condition you would be fast tracked to an appointment, so having to wait it out is a good thing.
Spend that waiting time doing positive things for yourself physically and emotionally - no matter what this all turns out to be, you won't get any of this time back so make the most of it.
 
Thanks Ben - spasticity needs to be diagnosed by a doctor examination. You are cherry picking things you read and trying to make what you feel fit into where you think you are at. If there were any great concern over your condition you would be fast tracked to an appointment, so having to wait it out is a good thing.
Spend that waiting time doing positive things for yourself physically and emotionally - no matter what this all turns out to be, you won't get any of this time back so make the most of it.
I agree time is precious I have been making many efforts to mend relationships and spend time with loved ones around me.

I was also at the hospital yesterday and examined by a team of neurologists they did various strength and coordination exercises checked reflexes and ran an instrument down each foot. They tried to stimulate muscle spasms by pinching my tricep it didnt work but later in the exam they observed the muscle spasming in my left tricep on its own. I guess i checked out fine because they said possible BFS . I said how do you explain the muscle cramps and extreme exhaustion, they then said they would order an MRI. So thats where Im at with that and in two days Ill have my first official neurology appointment.

I have figured out why I am dizzy though , its my neck muscles they have in the last two days started to tire very very quickly to the point I have to lay down or i feel like falling over. Also odd sensations at times when blinking. I have only noticed slight misspeaking not slurring like a muscle issue just saying the wrong thing and stuttering at times. No swallowing issues to speak of Im not sure what to make of this?

One last thing, I recalled that I did have an EMG done approx 3 years ago after a car accident. It was abnormal on my right shoulder and arm, I just assumed it was from the crash but now Im wondering if there was something else going related to some type of neuro muscular issue. I know thats taking something from the past and attaching it to today but Im just wondering. If I were to get the result of that EMG would you be able to tell me if anything looks off or possibly related to some type of neurological condition? Does an injury look different than MND on an EMG?

I am sorry for posting again I just really have no good place to talk with anyone about these symptoms most people have just blown me off or just nodded me off , its easy to do when youre not dealing with symptoms like this. It has only been 11 days since all of this started which I know is a short time but it has felt like much much longer. Thanks I appreciate you all.
 
Fatigue and cramping are common with bfs.

yes if you post a deidentified emg we will look. However three years ago is not going to be starting als and a normal neuro eval now
 
You really need to step back - not a single ALS symptom, all been over just 11 days, and you think you are dying?
Please mate, come back when you have something a doctor has given you as results to report, but until then start taking care of yourself.
 
Fatigue and cramping are common with bfs.

yes if you post a deidentified emg we will look. However three years ago is not going to be starting als and a normal neuro eval now
Thanks affected. I have really tried but Im at a troubled spot now Im just so tired. Right now honestly my biggest problem seems to be the back of my neck muscle fatigue , and feels like forehead ,jaw, lips fatigue my speech seems ok occasional stuttering but ok when I dont think about it and just talk and no one has noticed anything other than at times during the past 9 days or so where I get completely exhausted and my voice sounds tired.

Swallowing seems to be a minor issue at this point I have a hard time swallowing solids they seem to get stuck and i have to swallow a couple of times to get them down . I still have total body symptoms as well .

I have neuro tomorrow so hoping to get some answers is it typically possible to get EMG work done immediately? This all just seems like such a fast progression for whatever is going on. I will definitely come back when I get doctors results. Thanks guys.
 
Please - talk to your doctor tomorrow. Until then, you might stop and consider you are asking terminally ill people, some of whom are using their eyes or toes to operate their computers, are paralysed and breathing with the assistance of machines, to hold your hand when you have no actual ALS symptoms. No matter how you write them out here over 13 messages, they are NOT ALS symptoms.

This is not fast progression either. But this is very obviously minutely examining every single thing happening and focusing on them so much you just find more and more things. The more you do this, the more you will find, but you can't keep coming and piling these non-ALS things onto your thread.

Please, stop now, see your doctor tomorrow and follow their advice. We can't do anything more, truly. I do sympathise, and I'm not saying nothing is wrong - just saying this is not how ALS works so that's it for us.
 
Hi affected , thx for the reply , I did take a step back and breathe and you are right about what you said and Im sorry for the many posts. I mean no disrespect you guys are always in my thoughts and prayers. Again I just dont know who to talk to about these symptoms, the doctors kind of just shrug it off and say IDK and those around me blame anxiety. You guys have given me more information than any doctor that I have seen thusfar. Im more wanting to know how to pursue this if there is something that seems like it may be the beginning stages of ALS so that I can be more aggressive with scheduling doctors appointments to get this figured out.

16 days now with the same symptoms as before , all muscles cramp with use . Neck , face, jaw muscles fatigued and slightly hard to move , total exhaustion at times, fasciculations throughout my body including lips and have been losing a lot of dexterity in both hands. New symptom 2 days ago was a nauseous gagging feeling that seemed to radiate into my arms and legs has happened daily and lasts for about 30min. New today I noticed a strange feeling in my tongue feels almost like its numb/around the tip and underneath and at times i do have a slight slur in a word.

My question is is it possible for ALS related symptoms to begin total body when it is in fact bulbar onset from the beginning? I cant find much information on this. I see my neurologist again end of next week and its for an EMG. He is not an ALS specialist. Im not sure what part of the body the EMG should be done on to get results as it pertains to bulbar onset. I want to be certain I am getting a thorough EMG done. So far I have tested negative for : lyme , MG, MS .

I am truly sorry for another post again you all have given me more information than any doctor I have seen to date.
Thank you all God bless you.
 
No. It begins in one part of your body, from there an insidious spread.

No more posting please, and no more continuing to list symptoms. Please also refer to the "Read Before Posting" thread as many times as it takes to reassure yourself about all the things you are reporting. This really is not the place to continue asking people the same questions once they've answered you multiple times already- particularly when you will be seeing someone who can give you more info once your emg is completed.

I am leaving this thread open so you can post your emg results only. Please do not post til after your appointment.
 
You can ask- do not tell him what to do in the emg- if he feels bulbar testing is appropriate. The three usual sites for bulbar screening ( any ONE will do) are tongue, under the chin and sternocleidomastoid
 
So 31 days after my symptoms began and I had my EMG/nerve conduction done today. He did upper and lower extremities and pelvic area as well as back of neck side of neck and chin. He said everything is NORMAL. Newest symptoms for me were back of neck very fatigued and painful hard time holding head up, and abdominal muscles burning/fatigued so I was beginning to think this was going to get bad quick, but alas a clean EMG. So I guess I keep searching and wondering what this illness is. Thanks for listening thank you for the input. You all are awesome , God bless you all.
 
Great news!
Best of luck Ben, over and out :)
 
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