New Guy Looking for Answers

[JAndrew]

Im having some strange symptoms and I hate to jump to conclusions, but Im feeling a little fear/anxiety and I thought I could find some answers here.

My legs/arms feel heavy, almost like Im walking through the shallow end of a swimming pool. My tongue and jaw muscles tire quickly when I eat and my hands dont seem to want to obey sometimes (i.e. when picking up a glass, my hand wont grip it properly and I'll knock it over). Even my back seems to tire quickly and I find myself slouching until it becomes uncomfortable. I have no fever and I am awaiting the results of a series of blood tests that my doctor ordered.

These symptoms manifested themselves quickly and just over the past few days. Is ALS a slower, more proggressive disease or can the symptoms come on strongly and aggressively?

 

[brooksea]

J,

I haven't heard of anyone with ALS having symptoms that appear out of the blue like that, but I'm no neuro.

The best thing to do is get thee to an ALS Clinic for examination or the very least to a neurologist. From your description of symptoms, could be a myriad of things going on.

Any cramping and "twitching?"

 

[shopathonic]

Hi--
It's understandable that such symptoms would cause anxiety pending the results of your medical consultation. I noticed that you had a series of blood tests--that's a first step. But I wonder if the doctor you saw is a neurologist? If not, you might want to ask your doctor to recommend a neurologist who specializes in neuromuscular diseases (or you could find one yourself by calling the neurology department of the nearest teaching hospital or by consulting the nearest MDA/ALS clinic: http://www.als-mda.org/clinics/alsserv.html). It would really take an evaluation by a specialist to authoritatively rule in or out any neuromuscular disease--and since that is, understandably, your main area of concern, that would be the best way to find out exactly what's going on.

Best,
Jeff

 

[JAndrew]

Thanks for the quick replies. No cramping, but my muscles get tight very quickly as if I had exercised them vigorously. I have had some twitching, but no more than normal. I'm supposed to follow up with my doctor in a few days, so I'll ask him for a referal to a neurologist. Thanks for the advice.

 

[shopathonic]

Hi--
Just to reiterate--because this is especially important--when you ask your doctor for a referral to a neurologist, make sure that it's a neuro who specializes in neuromuscular diseases.

Best,
Jeff

 

[JAndrew]

Will do, Shop.