Need help!

[Dudu34]

Hello. I have some back issues since years. this July I had a sharp pain in my back going through my left leg for 2 weeks. The pain is almost gone now.The pain was terrible. Then one morning i wake up with numbness in my left foot on the top and my toes. I realised i can not move my fingers at all and can not walk on my heel. I was terrified again. Then my doctor sent me to Mri and showed disk hernitation and nerve compression l4 l5 (Sorry about my english). I decided to do emg , i will attach the results. I read alot in this forum and i am terrified about my results. I am getting better can lift my fingers month and half later but still my big toe is numb and weak. I can walk normally. His conclusion is no evidence of MND but i really wanna know what do you think. i know you are not a doctors and i deeply sorry for bothering you but my anxiety is …

 

[lgelb]

The doctor is right to say that this doesn't look like ALS. But the MRI and EMG suggest that you have spine damage that is serious, and that needs to be treated so it doesn't disable you further. I would make sure you understand the plan for that (may be starting with physio) and follow all the steps.

 

[Dudu34]

Thank you for your answer. Defiantly something is going on. I saw my MRi show l4l5 but my emg that and l5s1. Mri say nothing about l5s1 , is it possible? the doctor said its a general L5 problem. Of course i read many articles about fake result’s radiculitis and als…

 

[lgelb]

Yes, the MRI does not always line up exactly with the EMG.

There are other tests that can be done if needed, but usually treatment in that area (lumbar spine) will be tried first. The vertebrae involved are next to each other, after all, so what helps one will help others nearby. It is like if you badly bruise your leg, you will ice a bigger part than just the bruise.

I don't know what you mean by "fake results." The EMG and MRI, along with the history that you've described, all point to a spine problem, not ALS.

 

[Dudu34]

Thank you. I mean radiculitis can mimic als. I noticed when i stand on my “healthy” leg and lift my toes i can not keep the balance. I could do this few days ago. is this weakness, the lost of balance?

 

[Nikki J]

Although weakness certainly can cause inability to stand on one foot ( I cannot I would fall as my leg would collapse) it is not balance per se. Balance is proprioception and can be part of a spinal injury. And spinal conditions can cause weakness anyway.

Your tests and history are consistent with spine as Laurie said and not MND. Please also stop self testing as it is not hdlpful and can cause injury. You don’t believe us or your doctor and that is sad

 

[Dudu34]

Yes I understand I am obsessed probably and thanks to google. The problem is its my good leg. The doctor said could be because of switching the weight on it but he didnt notice weakness on the “good” leg. He said only slightly on the toes on my other one. But definitely better than two months ago. I read with als you can feel better on some point because of the reinnervation. Thats why i got worried because I can walk on my heels again and lift my left toes much more and some of numbness is gone , except the big toe. Its still weak. I read alot about emg results and etc and these mups worried me much plus the long process of diagnostic of some people. How do you feel now ?

 

[ShiftKicker]

Hello there-

I think what the doctor has told you, the replies you've received, and the information you've received here should all be enough to remove ALS from your list of concerns. The fact that you have not accepted the answers you've already received, and still continue to repeat the symptoms you feel point towards ALS (they do not) means you don't believe anyone. To continue asking is not a good use of the resources here.

We are an ALS support forum primarily and are not equipped to manage health anxiety as well. Please return to your doctor to ask your questions. We have tried to provide information and reassurance and you do not believe the people here. While you are working with your doctor to track down the non-ALS cause for your symptoms, please also consider addressing your anxiety.

Take care

 

[Dudu34]

Thank you all for your support. I had new emg. The doctor said i am
Getting better but didnt explain me what PPP means ? And previous time there wasnt muap on tibialis but on extensor. I am confused because i noticed it now.

 

[Nikki J]

Ppp is polyphasic potentials. It is normal to have some but they could also relate to your spine issues. It is great your doctor said you were improved.

 

[Dudu34]

He said he sees now and chronic denervation and almost none acute. And some reinervation in this muscle. I asked isnt this an indication for something bad, he said they look at the diagrams and if the signal is stable (whatever this is mean ) its ok. But i read here ppp is bad and i am really confused.

 

[Nikki J]

Well I don’t know what you read or think you read but I stand by what I said about them. Obviously your doctor isn’t worried about them

 

[lgelb]

If you have insignificant acute denervation, you don't have ALS. And it doesn't improve as you have, which makes sense, because you have spine problems, not motor neuron problems. If you think of your body as a building, ALS is a foundation problem. Your problems are brick problems.

The latest result does suggest that it's good to pay attention to how you sit (firm surface, legs at right angle, feet on floor, not tucked under you, don't roll onto your hip).