Haymo4
New member
- Joined
- Aug 24, 2021
- Messages
- 5
- Reason
- Learn about ALS
- Diagnosis
- 00/0000
- Country
- US
- State
- FL
- City
- Jacksonville
Greetings,
I am a 44 year old attorney, happily married with two small children. I became familiar with ALS when a second cousin was diagnosed at age 30 in 2001. We have become closer through the years and he is an inspiration to everyone that meets him. He is still with us, married a beautiful woman and published a book since his diagnosis. I have experienced symptoms consistent with my understanding of ALS for the past month and was curious if onset typically occurs so rapidly.
Five weeks ago, while on vacation, I sensed weakness in my left arm. I have always been an avid runner and a few days later ran my normal three mile route. My left leg felt stiff and “dead” from the bottom of my foot to my hip for the remainder of the day. This was concerning to be sure as I was unaccustomed to such a feeling from the hundreds of times I’d run this route. In the intervening weeks I’ve noticed weakness and some pain (not sure if clinical) in my left and right hands. Yesterday I managed to run only half a mile and both legs felt tight and fatigued all day. I have noticed rippling fasiculations in my left upper thigh and left hand over the past few weeks. Muscle twitches are a constant in my thighs, calves and arms although I have learned they are not by themselves indicative of ALS. They only began five weeks ago. My wife recently noticed that my left bicep is objectively smaller than my right.
I saw a neurologist two weeks ago and he noticed a stronger reflex on my left side. He ordered an MRI of the cervical spine and brain which both came back clean. Also I have a slight tremor in both hands. I first observed the tremor about two months ago but chalked it up to a hangover (!) or anxiety. In addition, I have been dealing with severe and debilitating bouts of vertigo for over a year. I am in a constant state of disequilibrium and standing can be challenging though surprisingly it is easier to walk briskly or run. Despite this I am still able to work, walk, ride a bike, carry my daughter and drive. I get an EMG in five weeks.
I have been reading posts on these forums for the past few weeks and am amazed about the knowledge, kindness and support I see here. The physical weakness/fatigue in both legs seems indisputable but I only started noticing this over the past five weeks. Obviously I’m anxious but taking it one day at a time and focusing on the things I can control. Any insight you all may have is welcome as to sudden onset of symptoms. An acquaintance of mine from college was diagnosed five years ago at age 41 and from his internet posts I understand that great strides are being made towards making this a treatable disease. He is still productive five years since his diagnosis. Thank you so much for your thoughts.
I am a 44 year old attorney, happily married with two small children. I became familiar with ALS when a second cousin was diagnosed at age 30 in 2001. We have become closer through the years and he is an inspiration to everyone that meets him. He is still with us, married a beautiful woman and published a book since his diagnosis. I have experienced symptoms consistent with my understanding of ALS for the past month and was curious if onset typically occurs so rapidly.
Five weeks ago, while on vacation, I sensed weakness in my left arm. I have always been an avid runner and a few days later ran my normal three mile route. My left leg felt stiff and “dead” from the bottom of my foot to my hip for the remainder of the day. This was concerning to be sure as I was unaccustomed to such a feeling from the hundreds of times I’d run this route. In the intervening weeks I’ve noticed weakness and some pain (not sure if clinical) in my left and right hands. Yesterday I managed to run only half a mile and both legs felt tight and fatigued all day. I have noticed rippling fasiculations in my left upper thigh and left hand over the past few weeks. Muscle twitches are a constant in my thighs, calves and arms although I have learned they are not by themselves indicative of ALS. They only began five weeks ago. My wife recently noticed that my left bicep is objectively smaller than my right.
I saw a neurologist two weeks ago and he noticed a stronger reflex on my left side. He ordered an MRI of the cervical spine and brain which both came back clean. Also I have a slight tremor in both hands. I first observed the tremor about two months ago but chalked it up to a hangover (!) or anxiety. In addition, I have been dealing with severe and debilitating bouts of vertigo for over a year. I am in a constant state of disequilibrium and standing can be challenging though surprisingly it is easier to walk briskly or run. Despite this I am still able to work, walk, ride a bike, carry my daughter and drive. I get an EMG in five weeks.
I have been reading posts on these forums for the past few weeks and am amazed about the knowledge, kindness and support I see here. The physical weakness/fatigue in both legs seems indisputable but I only started noticing this over the past five weeks. Obviously I’m anxious but taking it one day at a time and focusing on the things I can control. Any insight you all may have is welcome as to sudden onset of symptoms. An acquaintance of mine from college was diagnosed five years ago at age 41 and from his internet posts I understand that great strides are being made towards making this a treatable disease. He is still productive five years since his diagnosis. Thank you so much for your thoughts.
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