Please Help !!!!Scared I have ALS

[Worriedguy2355]

Good evening sorry for the long post in advance . I just wanna give everyone all the information so you can best inform me thank you in advance.

On December 6 I tested positive for influenza B on the 8th I woke up in sudden manner about 45 mins later I began to experience weakness in both my legs accompanied by a warm sensation in both my knees and quads, the warm sensation subsided after a couple of hours. Since the 8th I’ve had weakness that had not gone away coupled with sporadic muscle twitching. Then on the 1st of January I noticed muscle atrophy in my left leg. I did an emg a week ago and it came back normal and now I have some atrophy in my left arm with weakness.

Another point of reference my neurologist believes this could be related to a spinal injury however, my visit with him was prior to my left arm, getting weak and having atrophy. The atrophy seems to have set in since Thursday of last week. I should also mention that I’m still lifting weights just with a little bit of a difference between my left and my right arm in strength with my right arm being stronger.

Obviously my concern is ALS can anyone educate me on this please I’ve been stressing this for a month. Thank you in advance.

 

[ShiftKicker]

Sure, have a read here for information about why you don't report anything of concern for ALS: Read Before Posting

Sensory issues, including feeling weak bilaterally is not ALS. Feeling weak is not the same as clinical weakness. Atrophy can only be diagnosed by a doctor. Sounds like you have some sort of post-viral issue. If you feel there has been a change since you saw your doctor last, your best bet is to go back and show them.

Take care

 

[Worriedguy2355]

Thank you appreciate the response. I should add the weakness in my legs has been accompanied by sporadic instances of tightness and extreme fatigue. Then to make matters even more confusing the weakness left my right leg stayed in my left then came back to my right while still being in my left. To be clear when I say weakness I mean when walking down the stairs and my legs get tired more easily. Thank you again

 

[KimT]

None of this is presenting like ALS. You might be dealing with post-viral issues. Please continue to work with your doctors.

 

[Worriedguy2355]

Good afternoon this is 2 part question. I’m a 33 year old male with leg weakness since dec 8th following a bout with the flu. 1st is how soon does muscle atrophy show with the the onset of weakness in legs? 2nd if you do indeed have muscle atrophy, is it accompanied by twitching throughout the day or can it happen at night while you’re sleeping or not at all? in short, can you have ALS twitching while you’re sleeping and not know it or is it persistent throughout the day if you have muscle atrophy.
Subsequently to add context, I now perceive some type of atrophy, add to that I now have arm weakness on the same side of the leg weakness, and my face feels a little heavy and I have a stuffy nose , it feels almost like I have a sinus infection. And I’m getting tired, more often and more easier. I have photos of anyone wants to see what I’m seeing. Thank you in advance for any info

 

[ShiftKicker]

Hello-

I have moved your post to your already open thread. It helps people to know what has already been discussed.

A couple things-

Have you been to see a doctor recently? Only they can assess properly for atrophy.

Also recommended to read here and here for further information about both twitching and non-ALS symptoms (stuffy nose is viral or allergies, not ALS). You are asking about ALS specific twitching, which does not apply to you, as you do not report the hallmark symptom of ALS- clinical weakness. Please return to your doctor if you have any further questions, as they are ultimately the person who can help you the most with symptom relief and answers about what is going on.

Take care

 

[Worriedguy2355]

Thank you for your response and time. To answer your question I have seen my doctor, I don’t have any clinical weakness and my emg came back normal, but I definitely feel like I have weakness, which I understand isn’t the same. However, my concern is can this perceived weakness, develop into clinical weakness, given the other symptoms I have i.e. The spreading of weakness, and now the weird feeling in my face , I should also add I have an issue with thermal regulation. In the last couple days I tend to get hot flashes, which has never been a thing for me. Back in January I got CK ran and the CK levels were on the low end of the spectrum and a month prior they were high out of normal range . Needless to say this is all very confusing to me. I was just trying to reach out to people who have gone through it or know someone who’s gone through it who could specifically let me know what to look out for, due to not being able to have open dialogue with my neurologist , due to specialist taking forever to get back to you, which is understandable.
This is where I turn to , thank you again for your time I really do appreciate it.

 

[ShiftKicker]

Unfortunately, this is not something we can help you with here. Your symptoms do not add up to ALS. Your doctor and your test results agree. This is why we ask you go back to your doctor for further care.

This forum is for those who are dealing with an ALS diagnosis or are caring for someone with an ALS diagnosis. The information we can provide here for those who are worried about ALS is basic- once we have provided answers, reassurance and advice, there is not much more we can do. Focusing on ALS, despite being told by your doctor and on here that this is not what is going on is not going to help you figure out what is actually going on. Only your doctor can help you with that. They have your test results, can examine you in person and know your full health history.

 

[Worriedguy2355]

Thank you

 

[Worriedguy2355]

My apologies if I insulted anybody with my questions. I’m just really worried about this. Specifically because I read the diagnosis can be missed early in the process but like you said my results are saying I don’t have it and my doctors are too, so I guess I just gotta have faith. Initially, I was quite confident I didn’t have it but then these other symptoms started to progress within the last month and it was cause for concern, but I don’t wanna take up anymore of you guys time I really do appreciate it. I’m just confused about the progression of these other weird symptoms I’m having, because I was of the belief that it essentially takes out one limb and then moves onto next but that’s not the case with me I guess so that’s a good sign.

 

[Clearwater AL]

RE: Please Help !!!!Scared I have ALS

WorriedGuy, you gave ShftKicker a “Like” twice and a
“Thank You” following.

You were given clean EMG, so there was no need to post
the Summary/Conclusion.

You’ve been on this site numerous days searching old
threads.

You’re just really worried about this… it could almost be
said you’ve become nearly obsessed with this.

More likely, a diagnosis of Health Anxiety you should
honesty discuss with your doctor.

Posting here again with new worries or further concern
won’t change a thing. There is no signs you have ALS.

Hope you can find the path past worry of ALS and
healthy life.