KANSASTOM
Distinguished member
- Joined
- Jul 2, 2008
- Messages
- 165
- Reason
- Learn about ALS
- Country
- US
- State
- ks
- City
- wichita
Hello,
I am new to this forum, but have been reading posts for the last month. I am 44 year old male with muscle atrophy in my left calf muscle and pes cavus left foot and hammertoes. Four months ago I had an emg that was consistant with ALS or Distal Spinal Muscular Atrophy, this emg was performed by a Physiatrists. After these results I went thru the usual tests (MRI and blood work). The MRI showed two herniated discs and spinal stenosis. This may explain my results for my lower body but my upper body was abnormal also. I then was sent to an neurologists who examined me for 15 minutes and looked at my emg and said I had ALS, I was surprised and stunned. This prompted me to research this disease on the internet, which I quickly learned there are alot of diseases that mimic ALS. None of the Doctors ever asked me about my family history, which I know believe was a huge mistake. I now beleive what my father and grandfather had/have was some sort of neuropathy. We always beleived it was a bad case of rheumatoid arthritis, my father is currently 74 and has disfigured hands and feet, his father was the same and passed away at the age of 89. My current Dx is ALS but I am not sure if I should get another opinion, I have no upper motor neuron signs. Does anyone have these symptoms and ALS, my leg has been the same with now progression for a year and a half now.
I am new to this forum, but have been reading posts for the last month. I am 44 year old male with muscle atrophy in my left calf muscle and pes cavus left foot and hammertoes. Four months ago I had an emg that was consistant with ALS or Distal Spinal Muscular Atrophy, this emg was performed by a Physiatrists. After these results I went thru the usual tests (MRI and blood work). The MRI showed two herniated discs and spinal stenosis. This may explain my results for my lower body but my upper body was abnormal also. I then was sent to an neurologists who examined me for 15 minutes and looked at my emg and said I had ALS, I was surprised and stunned. This prompted me to research this disease on the internet, which I quickly learned there are alot of diseases that mimic ALS. None of the Doctors ever asked me about my family history, which I know believe was a huge mistake. I now beleive what my father and grandfather had/have was some sort of neuropathy. We always beleived it was a bad case of rheumatoid arthritis, my father is currently 74 and has disfigured hands and feet, his father was the same and passed away at the age of 89. My current Dx is ALS but I am not sure if I should get another opinion, I have no upper motor neuron signs. Does anyone have these symptoms and ALS, my leg has been the same with now progression for a year and a half now.