Muscle weakness and twitches

[gazap]

Hello lovely people. This is my first post. I have read your guidelines and made sure to post appropriately.

So my symptoms are as follows:

Weakness in legs. Three months ago i could cycle, walk the dog for over an hour but if i even do ten minutes now, my muscle ache badly. They tingle and the pain keeps me up at night. The pain is only alleviated somewhat when i actually put pressure on the legs (walking around the kitchen)

I twitch daily in body, neck and face. Not continuously but enough to notice

Weakness seems more on the left side in the sole of the feet, calves, hamstrings, glutes and thighs although there is also weakness in the right

Muscles of torso hurt

Sometimes I get a sunburnt sensation in the back, neck, face elbows and thigs

A sudden moment of breathlessness

Achy back muscles

When both eyes are shut for a long time, one or the other is slower to open

Feel shaky, deep tremors although not visible.

Problems in the mouth, tingling in left jaw, problems swallowing

Went to see a neurologist who gave me a basic Motorfunction test ie test my strength against his arms, made me walk on heels and toes, checked reflexes with his tool. He told me that he didnt believe that i had als or ms (mri of brain apparently confirmed this), told me that although i may feel weak, that theres nothing wrong with my strength. Point is how would he know how weak i had become prior to this appointment. Is this kind of appointment what youd call a cinical test of weakness? I read in your guidelines that its about failing and not feeling, but wouldnt feeling of wekaness be a precursor to the failing? Or does the failing just happen without any prior signs? Could I have caught it early? He said that there was no wastage or fasiciculations. How would he know there was no wastage if this was our first meet?

Is it too early for me to get an emg at this stage as ive heard conflicting views on this site. I have read the guideline before posting and seen where it says that 70 percent of nerves have died before you feel weakness. Even though im only 6 weeks in to my symptoms, would an emg be beneficial? Can i be content if it showed to be normal at this early stage?

 

[affected]

If you read the READ BEFORE POSTING post, it explains that feeling weak, having trouble doing things for as long, and feeling tired/fatigued doing things is NOT clinical weakness.
Your doctor conducted a clinical examination for clinical weakness and did not detect it. They know how to do this, they receive a lot of training and experience in this. With no medical training I know this is hard for you to grasp as a neurologist has studied and worked with people with neurological and other health issues for many years.
Again as the post to read says, failing can just happen. It starts as small failings and progresses to big ones. But you don't FEEL weak, fatigued or whatever, you simply fail.
Please read the post again, there is so much information to take in there.

If your neurologist does not feel an EMG is appropriate, then that is your answer.
What does your doctor feel is the next thing for you to do?
Honestly, since ALS does not happen the way you are describing, you should stop trying to outguess the doctors and follow what they feel is the appropriate path.

I hope you find answers and get the treatment path back to health quickly.

 

[gazap]

I really appreciate you taking the time in replying to my message, thank you. The reason I questioned the failing aspect is because i have read a few accounts of others in this forum who are confirmed with als and feeling weak in the legs was one of their symptoms. That is what got me panicking.

I concur and fully respect the years of training plus experience that a neurologist has, and fully accept that he knows my body better than I.

There is certainly something neurological happening. I can barely walk to the kitchen without feeling weakness of the legs and a cramping sensation. The left glutes, hamstrings, calves and sole is weaker than the right side. My doctor has agreed that i still need to be investigated. He has put me down as urgent to attend the neurological clinic here in the UK for further investigation. Also, an mri of the spine is being arranged.

I suppose such a spread of weakness in as little as 7 weeks is very uncommon so I am trying to be rational.

Thank you again for your valuable time. I will update this thread only if its deemed necessary.

Warm regards
Gareth

 

[affected]

With respect, you don't know something neurological is happening - it sounds more like something systemic or even rheumatic. But as I am not a doctor, let your doctors rule things out and test as they see appropriate.
You do need to be investigated, but trying to join that with internet searching is dangerous.
I wish you the best in returning to full health.