Right hand and leg weakness I'm scared

[beamin44]

30yr Male, In October I noticed twitching in my left calf and leg, like a rumbling feeling. Few months later my dexterity in my hand felt off still to this day it feels like a band is around my hand when I stretch it. I'm having dexterity issues in my right thumb even holding my cellphone it feels heavy.

In February I noticed my leg felt heavy and kind of tight and uncoordinated is this spasticity starting? Also my tongue feels thick and my swallowing feels weird.Is that a Upper motor sign? My movements don't feel smooth when stepping over objects or turning corners. My last clinical was in February everything was normal including reflexes, even though they didn't test for Hoffmans.

Fast forward I had a EMG with a neuromuscular doc this month. The EMG was on my problem hand , arm and my bad leg.He didn't give me the report but stated everything was normal. He did say he picked up one fasiculation on the EMG. I'm worried about upper motor honestly, because of my walking and weakness in my leg and my coordination issues. Would that clinical in February pick up upper motor signs? I feel I've progressed since then and also was my emg done too early? I've read threads about people having a normal EMG then they get diagnosed. I'm not a anxious person but I'm just worried and scared

 

[lgelb]

I am not clear if your exam was with a neurologist. If so, yes, they are trained to look for both upper and lower motor neuron damage. One fascic on EMG means nothing, but stress and anxiety, which often compromise your sleep, can easily make you stiff and jumpy. And feeling off in one area for whatever reason can lead to a cascade of what you see as changes elsewhere.

So I believe that you are not normally an anxious person, but we all have times when we find it hard to be objective about our health.

Whatever you think you've read, people with EMG changes that ultimately suggest ALS have clear indications of mobility issues (being unable to do normal things) from the beginning of testing. I am not reading that you do.

Upper motor neuron damage is more often seen on exam or in specialized testing, but I have to believe that if there were any indication of that, you would have heard. Still, you have a right to your chart notes and the EMG report via your provider's portal.

To test the idea that things can get better, you might ask for a PT referral for your hand.

 

[beamin44]

My last exam was done in February and I had another clinical around October 2023. My symptoms have gotten worse, my leg feels weak with increased twitching in my foot and calf. I felt relieved about my EMG but then I'm just terrified of it being upper motor. Also my EMG in my calf does it matter if he didn't check my quad? Would something have shown if I've been having this feeling gradually for 10 months. Should I just forget a MND?

 

[ShiftKicker]

As Laurie says, a PT referral is the way to go. People can tell you to forget an MND (we already have!), but it's clear you are feeling a fair amount of anxiety about it. What are you doing to deal with general anxiety? Are you addressing that? It's another aspect of overall health that can be managed while you also see a doctor about a PT referral. You can work on both issues and find improvement.

Take care

 

[beamin44]

I was just about to receive the summary apparently, But notes attached. Honestly I'm just terrified of getting bad news, these symptoms are not in my mind. My hand feels weak and my dexterity is definitely worse, pushing off my left leg feels so weak and walking doesn't feel right. My leg feels loose and weak. It's hard to believe this EMG came back normal with these persistent symptoms. Im praying it's not umn onset then later lmn. Could the tightness I feel in my leg be spasticity? Also the EMG was done in my calf instead of my quad does that matter?

 

[ShiftKicker]

Nope, not how UMN issues are expressed. And, if there was a nerve issue anywhere along that nerve pathway in your leg, the EMG would pick it up. Your EMG is clear, your clinical exam was clear. It says right in there what the conclusion is. If you are struggling to believe, it's time to get some tools to handle your stress while you work with a PT to reduce symptoms.

Please take care.

 

[beamin44]

I haven't had a clinical since February and since then my symptoms have progressed. That's why I'm worried about upper motor issues