Scared Dad, Doc says he thinks its Ulnar nerve lesion

[larholl]

Hi, thanks for taking the time to read this for me.

I am a 38yo male have been expericeing what I beleive to be ALS symptoms as in the fascilations and the Atrophy in my right hand. The twitching has only been for a couple of weeks as far as I can tell and the the atrophy for about two months( not sure really). Although i did go in last yeaer as I was having "ligthning bolt"sensations after typing all day in my wrist that would shoot down my fingers.

My doctor says that he does not thinkit is ALS even after I restate that I am having the twitching and as well as the muslce loss but he insists that he thinks it is a Ulnar Nerve Lesion. He has also said that I definatley have mild carpel tunnel syndrome. But when i look it up online I canot find any correlation between the two symptoms as being a Nerve lesion or a result of Carpel tunnel? am worried that he is just saying this so as not to upset me, at first I was OK thinking that hes probably right but the more I read the more worried I get. He mentioned soemthing about the fact that I have had a "claw finger on my pinky" in other words for the last 20 years I have not been able to keep my pinky straight as being another key thing. and that for years from time to time my hand if I flexed it downward (as if trying to touch my fingers to my wrist) would get "stuck".

The initial Nerve Conduction test was a problem because it did not read anyting for my right hand (where i have been having the trouble) So he has scheduled a full EMG
Anyways, i am sure you all know the feeling with a 5 and 6 year old I am terrified.

Any thoughts would be gratly appreciated.

Larry

 

[wright]

Hey there Larry

The symptoms you describe are classic for carpal tunnel, which is caused by compression of the ulnar nerve at the wrist. What gives it away is the "lightning bolt" feeling you get in your hand. Carpal tunnel can also cause hand atrophy in the exact location you are stating and can also cause fasics.
Now can I sit here and say you have carpal tunnel syndrome? No, I can't. But given your description of symptoms, it sure is a very good possibility.
Wait for the full EMG for your doc to verify his/her diagnosis before you go and diagnose yourself with something like ALS.
Take care and if you more questions, please let us know. In the meantime, try to relax.


P.S. I would also tell your doc that you are having ALS concerns so you are assured they do a very thorough EMG for your peace of mind.

 

[laurel]

Hi Larry,
My husband was told by his neurologist back in 2002 or 2003 that he had two nerve impingments in his right hand and arm. He said they were not significant enough to worry about. (they were significant to him as he was a commercial airline pilot and was having trouble with the instruments) Hubby returned to him a year later when his strength in his hand diminished further. He had more nerve conduction studies done. Now the neurologist said he needed surgery. Hubby had surgery on two spots --one for carpal tunnel and one further up his forearm. Over the next year his strength in his hand diminished further and atrophy was starting to happen. He returned to the surgeon who said all was normal that it just takes time for nerves to re-grow. Over the next year or so, tremendous wasting occurred and and he lost almost all use of his right hand. We went to a another specialist for a second opinion. He said that hubby had progressive muscle atrophy--reason not yet diagnosed. Back to original neurologist who did nerve conduction and EMG on the one affected limb. He said he didn't know what was wrong. He was referred to a neuromuscular disease unit, and had EMG and nerve conduction testing of all four limbs. Plus he had lumbar puncture, blood work, MRI's. While waiting for results he had foot drop of the right foot. He was diagnosed with CIDP MADSAM variant and has received IVIG monthly since diagnosis with great improvement of hand strength. But he has permanent wasting due to the length of time that it had gone on.

Hubby had the fasciculations or twitching that happened in his forearm--he was unaware of them until I noticed them. The current neurologist and the specialist who did the second referral said that he never had carpal tunnel. That his symptoms were not supportive of that diagnosis. He never had pain at all. He had weak grip, spasm in the muscle of the hand, fasciculations, and eventually significant wasting. I think that one important thing to help in diagnosis would be to ensure that all four of your limbs are tested. This was not done with hubby. And I think it would have been key in determining that he had CIDP since all limbs were effected as show when he had all four tested. CIDP is a non curable, but treatable autoimmune disease.
Laurel