I think my worry about having ALS might just be from paranoia or anxiety...About 2 months ago, I started waking up in the middle of the night vomiting, with headache and had a feeling of weakness in my left arm and left foot and bad jaw pain. It got so bad, I went to the ER, convinced I had a brain tumor. They did a CT scan and neurological exam and told me I was fine. The weakness came and went so I followed up with my GP and she did a more thorough neuro exam and found nothing, but said I probably had TMJ, the jaw disorder. Still, she referred me to a neurologist. By this time, the headaches and waking had stopped completely, but the weakness still remained. The neurologist did a more thorough exam. I asked him specifically about ALS and he said "You have nothing like ALS."
I was reassured by this, and felt fine for a while after, but I started worrying again, and the weakness returned. I also had some pain along my left forearm and now I am having some pain the joint between my thumb and index finger and some tremors in my left eyelid (Which I have had on and off for years). I spend a lot of time thinking about this and worrying. I am 24 yr. old male, and I understand that the odds are pretty long...Still, this has been freaking me out. I guess it feels good to just say this somewhere. I don't tell any friends/family as I don't want to be labeled a hypochondriac. I wonder about getting a second opinion or perhaps going to see a psychologist...
Thanks,
Mike
I was reassured by this, and felt fine for a while after, but I started worrying again, and the weakness returned. I also had some pain along my left forearm and now I am having some pain the joint between my thumb and index finger and some tremors in my left eyelid (Which I have had on and off for years). I spend a lot of time thinking about this and worrying. I am 24 yr. old male, and I understand that the odds are pretty long...Still, this has been freaking me out. I guess it feels good to just say this somewhere. I don't tell any friends/family as I don't want to be labeled a hypochondriac. I wonder about getting a second opinion or perhaps going to see a psychologist...
Thanks,
Mike