Really worried about ALS

[Justme23]

Hello everyone !
I'm a Male (26yo) and i'm desperate to hear opinions of people who have some experience with this disease ! My symptoms began on 27th of December last year while i was carting with my friend i experienced weak shoulders (heavy as if it was 20kg on them) and hand numbness..

i didn't bother at first but after i suffered the whole day (tommorow) i started googling a bit and find out that for some people it begins in shoulders and from that point on my life is in ruins. I didn't eat or sleep for 7 days constant panic attacks, numbness, twitching, and after a couple of days i developed swallowing problems. My throat was full of something that i couldn't swallow. Then later i started to almost choke on my spit because it just kept sliding down my throat and forced me to swallow more frequently.

My right arm and right leg (especially arm - biceps region) feels kinda numb, when i flex it. As a bodybuilder it starts to shake, albeit my left one also but not always and so extreme. I didn't notice any atrophy, but i have extreme muscle weakness i just can't lift up my girlfriend without my biceps / muscles starting to shake. It becomes easily fatigued (atm shoulders also) and starts to hurt pretty quickly and easily. I kinda had trouble (sometimes) while washing the dishes cause i couldnt hold them (i broke my hand 7 months ago and have a metal plate - ring finger) so maybe that could explain it.

3 weeks ago i started (kinda) lisping, trouble with letters 's' 'c' and 'z' and sometimes when i'm saying letter 'r' in combination with other letters (mostly L). I have a feeling that my under my tongue is kinda immobile (feeling of 2 little tiny rocks under and kinda inside my tongue). I had fasciculations in the first two weeks with a bit of numbness, but in the last 2 weeks i didn't have any (tongue). Arms and legs once in a couple of days. Also i started to mix my words or / and letters pretty often (i would correct myself pretty quickly after), but sometimes i just can't say some words or i need to make a pause for couple of seconds. Reading out loud / bit louder is also becoming a problem i just mix the words or can't read them fluently without a pause.

All that came around 3 weeks ago so i am really worried that it's kinda progressing all over the body but not with noticeable symptoms (or worsening). I didn't do any tests (EMG or blood) because my neurologist is convinced that it's all in my head. I have an appointment tommorow so i will try and convince her again to test me for anything that could potentially prove or help me rule it out. I did a head MRT last year (8 months ago) and it was clean and neck MRT, 2 weeks ago where i was diagnosed with a mild thoracic scoliosis and lymphadenopathy (my ENT doctor told me it's nothing serious, probably bacteria + virus and took nasopharyngeal swab - I'm still waiting for swab results). While im still waiting for an appointment with ortopedist.

In the moment i don't have (didn't have fasciculations for more than a week - Tongue even a bit longer), but weakness in my right arm (biceps) and slightly in my right leg even though i can move and do everything normally (except when i lift something heavy - where my muscles become fatigued pretty quickly), swallowing problems (atm i have probably bacterial infection with inflamation) so i can't say with certainty is it because of inflamation (probably) or weakness of muscles and my speech problems where i mix up the letters / words and lisp s / z / c and sometimes have trouble moving my tongue when i'm saying words with 'r' in it.

I know no one can't tell me with certainty the answer i wanna now, but generally speaking is it possible to say that i may have some potential symptoms that could be ALS ? ATM my biggest fear is speaking (not slurred but all over the place) so i wanted to ask how did it start for the people who have it and what exactly is meant by "slurred"? Or someone who knew someone who has / had ALS? How quickly did it progress / got worse to the point where other people noticed it. Is it possible for symptoms to come and go (e.g. twitching, swallowing, numbness (which is sometimes really noticeable and sometimes barely where u almost don't even notice it)) how does the 'weakness' feel? Not being able to lift stuff? Trembling and fatigued from the stuff u could do prior?
I would very much appreciate some answers.

Thanks you very much and sorry for everyone and their families who is suffering from this horrible disease and the people like me who live in fear of having it.

 

[Clearwater AL]

You read that some with ALS started with their shoulders. That is rare.
Since you read something suddenly you feel your life is in ruins.

You didn't eat or sleep for 7 days and had constant panic attacks,

That is severe Health Anxiety. Your neurologist is convinced that it's
all in your head. A highly educated, highly trained doctor. You’re not

You have numerous symptoms…You’ve asked several questions.

Finally I’ll say as I have many times before. ALS is still considered
a rare disease… very extremely rare is for anyone just 26 years old
to be diagnosed with ALS.

I hope your doctors sort out all your issues so that you can live the
best time of life… twenties, without Health Anxiety and worry of
having ALS.