Questions about symptoms

[Ratty22]

Ok..... I appreciate the responses and the time your taking to read this. I am not diagnosed with ALS, I am in personal fear mode more less so. I have had health concerns happening for roughly a year now. I am 26 which is VERY rare for ALS. How ever- I keep getting "symptoms" that concern me. Im just going to list them shortly, any input would help put my mind at ease, or point me in the right direction if they sound like issues.

1. 1 year ago- SEVERE bowel issues. no cause. Got a colonoscopy, clear. Generally tired, Noticed Fore arm muscle is not as large as it used to be.
3 months ago Diagnosed with low T, put on androgen, and low Vitamin D put on supplements. Memory loss and clumsiness and forgetfulness, almost brain fog (nothing to do with ALS I know)

2. 1 months ago twitching in one single spot on arm in one muscle for 8 days straight, (Muscle right above elbow at joint) muscle is nearly non existent especially compared to other arm now,
Figured Vitamin D or B12 issues so I took supplements, and ate great.

3. 2 Months ago, throat started to cramp, almost like adams apple muscles, talked to Dr. Said maybe a virus or stress, no worries, I went on forgetting about it.

4. 2 weeks ago left arm, under bicep one muscle twitch has started, and is beginning to die down, but 1.4 inch difference between bicep muscles now. No where else in body.

5 . Severe weakness in left arm just feels soar and I can not hold things up like I used to, and defiantly not compared to my right. I tried to lift a 18 pound box, to my chest and hold it, right has no problem, left wants to fall off and gives out, its not my hand its my arm between shoulder and elbow. walking around it feels harder to move and slower than normal.

6. I am a drummer and have noticed severe atrophy in my left forearm to my right, and I do not have the " control" I used to as a performer, sounds weird but strength has been going fast over the past 4 days.

7 . if I rub a 4-6 inch area below my bicep (ulnar nerve area) my whole arm down to pinky gets pins and needles.

8. My shoulder and arm are now stiff and feels like I have loss of movement


Question Time:
So, I am experiencing weakness, but normally that comes before twitching and atrophy is last correct?
This order. Weakness, Twitching, Atrophy. NOT Twitching, Atrophy and weakness at same time

In ALS twitching happens for a LONG time before muscle atrophy happens, its not 1-2 week then the muscle is gone thing right?

Is it normal for your right arm to be bigger than the other drastically and easily fatigued.

Are there symptoms in your GI with ALS, like constipation and inconstancne

How "fast" does the atrophy and weakness move in on a muscle, or is it a whole limb? would it start in a small muscle like the one above your elbow, forearm or triceps?

Is low testosterone and vitamin D attributed with ALS?

Thanks for the help, and for all of you with ALS for sure, Bless you. I can't fathom the feelings and emotions.

JR

 

[trfogey]

What has your primary care doctor said about the loss of movement in your arm? What type of specialist has he/she referred you to?

 

[Ratty22]

He wants to see me ASAP he's out of town until Monday. He is unsure said it could be a compressed nerve/entrapped or a lot of stuff he wants to see me and send me to a specialist. We've been communicating through email he is great

 

[trfogey]

Then you should do just that -- wait for the appointment and the referral. And since he didn't tell you to ask a bunch of strangers on a message board about your story, you probably shouldn't be doing that.

Good luck to you.

 

[notme]

trapped nerve is the most likely scenario--ALS doesn't affect sensory nerves--that numbness and tingling is sensory nerve issues--common with trapped nerves.

ALS doesn't affect involuntary muscles--like bladder, intestines or hearts. If you have sudden loss of bowel/bladder control, it's a medical emergency. It requires a doctor ASAP. and no, it's NOT als. It's severe stenosis in the lower spine and can lead to permanent damage if not fixed.

 

[Ratty22]

TR- I agree, 100% I am im not in fear mode, I have seen people freak out over things on this forum and it checked me into rational mode. Mine is more informative for my own mind and knowledge. I have been reading a lot of forums, And in research online, this is fascinating to me.

I was un-aware of this Illness to a colleague told me about it. Its amazing to trace the research steps science is using, and it is mind blowing to me with all the advancements we have made as a society they have not toppled this yet.

I know I have "something' going on. 99.5% chance its not ALS. Did have a family member with it on dads side, But I also had Panreatic cancer, and Colteral cancer, So the numbers statically are higher for me, but we all go somehow. Honestly, I am Still not terribly worried. My question section was more for knowledge...... Because all generic answers, say just generic issues. They don't detail the real life"process" and "speed of the illness". Like I am interested in the first year of the illness what people experienced, the year before they noticed, were symptoms subtle, overwhelming etc.

I have read this forum and a few others for a few months trying to educate my self about this terrible illness, and I really thought it out before I posted, I do not want to disgrace his place, I how ever, would like to be educated on the illness. As I said its for my own peace of mind and assurance because the internet and google are TERRIBLE things. I am the type of person that likes to go straight to the information keepers for answers to my questions, please I hope you did not take my posts as offensive.

I am glad this exists for people that have ALS and for people that don't. I ask that even when/if my stuff comes out nothing to do with ALS, I would still like to be a member of this community because it seems like there are a lot of great people here and it is very encouraging to see the strength and support so many with this illness have for each other and people with out. I would like to be further educated. I hope that made sense.

 

[TedH5]

If your Dr has given you advice you would be smart to follow it and not try and self diagnose by entering symptoms into google. Have faith in your Dr.