theScientist
New member
- Joined
- Aug 10, 2019
- Messages
- 7
- Reason
- Learn about ALS
- Diagnosis
- 00/0000
- Country
- DE
- State
- BW
- City
- City
Dear all
First of all I would like to thank you so much for the incredible effort you put in this forum. That’s not to be taken for granted. And at the same time I apologise for even coming up with the idea of posting here (I really am fighting with myself). But here I am, yet another worried young man (26 years) asking for help with his symptoms and fears. As a scientist I try to see this whole presentation objectively. I read some peer-reviewed articles and did the maths and the chances to be diagnosed with ALS at the age of 26 are really, really low. But sometimes I can’t see things as objectively as I’d like to see them. So here's my story.
I read the sticky many times (it’s a great help and clarifies some of the myths and wrong facts out there!). Nevertheless I think that portraying my situation and formulating my questions helps me dealing with my current situation.
Phase 1: Numbness and vision problems
I first noticed some changes earlier this July. It started with a numb feeling in my left forearm, fingers, and shoulder. A couple of days later I noticed vision problems and pain in one eye (could have been optic neuritis). My GP referred my to a neurologist who did an MRI and some other tests for multiple sclerosis. I was really happy that this disease could be ruled out.
Phase 2: Facial weakness
Then, roughly two weeks ago, weakness in my face started. I had a strange feeling in my left cheek and smiling or talking for a longer time became quite exhausting (the face felt "sore" after a longer discussion). Furthermore I thought that my speech became slightly slurred. Since then, the face has improved and worsened and improved and worsened (but never got worse than the initial presentation).
Phase 3: Muscle twitches
A couple of days ago, another symptom appeared: muscle twitches. Almost all day long some muscles would twitch intermittently (especially in the limbs) with a (perceived) peak when I lie in bed right before sleeping. I started taking some additional magnesium but currently my digestion doesn’t tolerate it that well. But I think that the twitching has improved (at least slightly).
Phase 4: Limb weakness
Furthermore I think that my arms, hands, and legs (especially the right leg, which is my "stronger" leg) have shown some signs of weakness in the last few days. I know that ALS is about failing and not about feeling and put this way, I am quite sure I don't have ALS. I don't have any functional losses. The problems I have encountered are:
- Leg: weakness of the mentioned leg when e.g. getting out of bed and standing on the right leg first, sometimes a strange feeling that my right thighs can't hold my weight anymore (knee giving way)
- Arms: quicker exhaustion of the arms e.g. when holding something heavier or when operating the steering wheel of the car for a longer time
- Hands: weaker grip and soreness in thenar muscles (both sides)
My reasoning against ALS
- All in all the symptoms do not really point towards ALS.
- First and probably most important argument: my age (and a lack of familial history).
- Most of the symptoms are sensory and as mentioned in the sticky, ALS is about failing and not about feeling.
- The symptoms appeared too quickly to be related to ALS (~ 1 month).
My questions and concerns
- Do you think that my reasoning makes sense? I would be happy to include some additional arguments against ALS in my collection.
- Concerning weakness: is there some sort of precursor to weakness? I imagine that some parts of the thenar muscles might be broken but some other parts might still work fine but get exhausted (and sore) because they have to work more?
Thank you very much for your help!
First of all I would like to thank you so much for the incredible effort you put in this forum. That’s not to be taken for granted. And at the same time I apologise for even coming up with the idea of posting here (I really am fighting with myself). But here I am, yet another worried young man (26 years) asking for help with his symptoms and fears. As a scientist I try to see this whole presentation objectively. I read some peer-reviewed articles and did the maths and the chances to be diagnosed with ALS at the age of 26 are really, really low. But sometimes I can’t see things as objectively as I’d like to see them. So here's my story.
I read the sticky many times (it’s a great help and clarifies some of the myths and wrong facts out there!). Nevertheless I think that portraying my situation and formulating my questions helps me dealing with my current situation.
Phase 1: Numbness and vision problems
I first noticed some changes earlier this July. It started with a numb feeling in my left forearm, fingers, and shoulder. A couple of days later I noticed vision problems and pain in one eye (could have been optic neuritis). My GP referred my to a neurologist who did an MRI and some other tests for multiple sclerosis. I was really happy that this disease could be ruled out.
Phase 2: Facial weakness
Then, roughly two weeks ago, weakness in my face started. I had a strange feeling in my left cheek and smiling or talking for a longer time became quite exhausting (the face felt "sore" after a longer discussion). Furthermore I thought that my speech became slightly slurred. Since then, the face has improved and worsened and improved and worsened (but never got worse than the initial presentation).
Phase 3: Muscle twitches
A couple of days ago, another symptom appeared: muscle twitches. Almost all day long some muscles would twitch intermittently (especially in the limbs) with a (perceived) peak when I lie in bed right before sleeping. I started taking some additional magnesium but currently my digestion doesn’t tolerate it that well. But I think that the twitching has improved (at least slightly).
Phase 4: Limb weakness
Furthermore I think that my arms, hands, and legs (especially the right leg, which is my "stronger" leg) have shown some signs of weakness in the last few days. I know that ALS is about failing and not about feeling and put this way, I am quite sure I don't have ALS. I don't have any functional losses. The problems I have encountered are:
- Leg: weakness of the mentioned leg when e.g. getting out of bed and standing on the right leg first, sometimes a strange feeling that my right thighs can't hold my weight anymore (knee giving way)
- Arms: quicker exhaustion of the arms e.g. when holding something heavier or when operating the steering wheel of the car for a longer time
- Hands: weaker grip and soreness in thenar muscles (both sides)
My reasoning against ALS
- All in all the symptoms do not really point towards ALS.
- First and probably most important argument: my age (and a lack of familial history).
- Most of the symptoms are sensory and as mentioned in the sticky, ALS is about failing and not about feeling.
- The symptoms appeared too quickly to be related to ALS (~ 1 month).
My questions and concerns
- Do you think that my reasoning makes sense? I would be happy to include some additional arguments against ALS in my collection.
- Concerning weakness: is there some sort of precursor to weakness? I imagine that some parts of the thenar muscles might be broken but some other parts might still work fine but get exhausted (and sore) because they have to work more?
Thank you very much for your help!