New diagnosis, second option?

[mitchpearce]

I was just diagnosed with ALS and trying to determine if I should get a second opinion.

I have had a prior neck injury of c6/c7 with a bulged disk. My MRI of brain and neck show continued degeneration in my neck. My symptoms include significant muscle fasciculations in both arms, legs, abdomen, and neck. I have had slurred and slow speech that is intermittent, muscle cramping, and weakness in my left hand. Yes unfortunately, seems to hit most all symptoms and they came on the heals of a 1st Shingrix shot at the end of May.

My neurologist is an ALS specialist and I trust her. However, newly diagnosed (within the last week and faced with life changing decisions) I am struggling at age 56 accepting the diagnosis.
Below are my EMG numbers and I am wondering if there is even a reason for a second opinion.

Any thoughts?

Thanks -

 

[Nikki J]

Very sorry you find yourself here. I don’t see a reason to doubt but we do encourage two neuromuscular opinions as this is such a huge diagnosis. Even if you get the same answer it can also be helpful to get a second perspective and clinical approach

 

[lgelb]

Agree on all counts. I know there are not many clinics with an ALS focus in Idaho, but even a remote review of your records coupled with a video visit could be helpful. Institutions that would offer this include UC San Diego, Cleveland Clinic, Mayo Clinic, Johns Hopkins, and Massachusetts General. This map of clinics may also be helpful.