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Anxiety17

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Learn about ALS
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Ohio
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Cleveland
Really worried about potential ALS symptoms. I do deal with a lot of anxiety and obviously getting on google never really seems to help. Going to try and lay down a time line of how things have progressed over the past few months:

Jan 2017- was having trouble with food getting caught in throat. Went to a throat specialist who scoped my esophagus but found nothing relevant. He put me on Prilosec OTC which helped a lot.

Nov 2017 – start to feel odd sensation on right side of body as though it is bigger than my left. When working out would feel like only the right side of body was actually getting a workout. Has been going on to this day.

Dec 2017 – Have a recurring headache on the right side of my head that would come and go in severity so went to see primary care.

Dec 2017 – Tests performed were MRI of brain with and without contrast, MRI cervical spine without contrast, MRA of brain without contrast and Xray of cervical spine. All of which came back clear

Jan-Apr 2018 – still felt this odd sensation on right side of body but would come and go. Had some tongue numbness that would come and go as well.

May 2018 – Had a few days of consistently feeling vertigo/brain fog with headache and soreness in my neck (this neck soreness has been consistent to this day). A few days after I had numbness which developed in my right shoulder blade and traveled to the right side of my face and extended down my neck through my shoulder and into my right arm and hand. This occurred about 4 few times during the month of May. The numbness would last about 5 minutes and then subside. No loss of strength or use of limbs just a tingly/numbess feeling.

Jun-Jul 2018 – I went to see an orthopedist who took Xrays of my back and neck and did not see any pinched nerves. I also went to a neurologist who looking through all my previous tests and performed a physical examination was not sure what to say or what might be causing my symptoms. I also went for blood work which came back I was deficient in vitamin D so have started taking a supplement.

Jul 2018- start to feel twitching in various parts of body. They don’t last long but just a quick twitch or flickering of the muscle and seem to be mainly in my legs and arms. I know everyone has some basic twitching but this feels like it almost daily. I have never felt this before in my life but maybe I am just paying more attention to it with my anxiety.

All in all (sorry I know that was a lot) what really concerns me are the symptoms that line up with ALS and none of the tests finding any other issues. First the issue with food getting caught in my throat. Not sure if that is the same thing as trouble swallowing but of course in my head it makes sense. Second is this odd feeling where my right side is bigger/stronger than my left. I feel like my left side seems to be getting weaker/softer (almost losing mass) even though when I workout I can lift the same weight. Third is the constant pain/soreness in my neck as I have read the neck issues can be an indication of ALS. Lastly, is the twitching. I try to tell myself it could just be due to my anxiety but of course always come back to it can only be caused by ALS.

I really appreciate the help. I recently changed jobs and am waiting for my insurance to kick in to see another neurologist and maybe get an EMG.
 
You haven't described anything ALS-like. I would continue supplementing the vitamin D (effects are not instant) and explore other possible nutritional deficiencies or imbalances, along with sleep, stress [not unusual with a new job] and anxiety you mention. And stay off Google.

Likely the person who will help you feel better is you.

Best,
Laurie
 
Laurie,

I really appreciate the response. Great to hear you don't think it has to do with ALS. I guess just a few quick questions for you just for my own knowledge:
1) Do neck issues have any correlation to ALS? If so, what are the symptoms
2) I know twitching is a symptom but is it an early symptom? is the twitching intense? Does it occur 24/7? and is it local to a particular body part?
3) As far as muscle weakness/atrophy, when this is a symptom of ALS is it something that is very noticeable? Is there a way to tell the difference between say just an imbalance of the body (maybe just favoring my right side over my left)

Thank you again for the help. Really taking some stress off my plate.
 
Please read the Sticky on this forum titled Please Read Before Posting. It is our official position. All of your questions are answered there. Stay away from Dr Google.
Vincent
 
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