My symptoms began about three months ago (in early April) with a small twitch/tremor in my left index finger. The twitching spread to ring finger and thumb in my left hand and ultimately to the three fingers in my right hand as well over the following month. About two months later I also started to get an involuntary contraction in my left foot . . . felt like a pressing down on the ball of my foot. More recently (past week or two) I'm getting involuntary twitches and fasciculations in both my left hand between my thumb and index finger as well as in the arch of my left foot. I do also get occasional fasciculations in other parts of my body like the left side of my chest and occasionally my right leg too.
I've been tested for B-12 and have had a relatively low B-12 reading (276) but not completely out of range apparently. My CPK levels are also normal (60) but I've had trouble figuring out what that means. I've also had a clinical exam with a neurologist and he said I don't have Parkinson's or MS and that he was 99% sure I don't have ALS. But we didn't really discuss my fasciculations and they seem to be increasingly intense in my left hand and foot. During the neuro exam, my reflexes were normal and I didn't have Babinski or Hoffman's sign. My left side does feel somewhat weaker but I passed both the neuro's strength tests and ones I've tried at home from the internet. I don't have problems walking as of yet but feel off balance and that I'm carrying more of my weight on my right leg. My PCP thought it might be essential tremor in the hands but this doesn't seem to explain what is happening in my feet.
I'm concerned that this is perhaps the early stages of ALS and that I'm one of those rare 6.7% for who twitching is the first sign before weakness sets in. I hope it is BFS but fear that it is not. I have an incredible amount of anxiety and fear about what is happening and I'm sure this could account for some of the trembling in my hands and possibly the some of twitching.
My questions are as follows:
1. Since twitching and tremor appeared both in my right and left hand more or less simultaneously, isn't this out of character with how ALS normally presents.
2. How quickly does ALS move from a hand to the foot? It seemed to happen in about one month in my case (if this is indeed ALS). Isn't this incredibly fast for ALS to move from one limb to another?
3. Does this present as ALS in your opinion? Scared my neuro might have missed something.
4. Weakness seems to be absent although I have cramping in my arms and legs so that may be something to that too.
I have an EMG/NCS scheduled in about three weeks but that feels a lifetime away. I have a five year old daughter and wife who I fear to leave behind.
For all of you who are struggling with ALS and currently diagnosed, my heart goes out to you. I am honored and humbled that you have created this forum where people can find more out about this disease and hope you may help me figure out what is happening.
Thanks.
I've been tested for B-12 and have had a relatively low B-12 reading (276) but not completely out of range apparently. My CPK levels are also normal (60) but I've had trouble figuring out what that means. I've also had a clinical exam with a neurologist and he said I don't have Parkinson's or MS and that he was 99% sure I don't have ALS. But we didn't really discuss my fasciculations and they seem to be increasingly intense in my left hand and foot. During the neuro exam, my reflexes were normal and I didn't have Babinski or Hoffman's sign. My left side does feel somewhat weaker but I passed both the neuro's strength tests and ones I've tried at home from the internet. I don't have problems walking as of yet but feel off balance and that I'm carrying more of my weight on my right leg. My PCP thought it might be essential tremor in the hands but this doesn't seem to explain what is happening in my feet.
I'm concerned that this is perhaps the early stages of ALS and that I'm one of those rare 6.7% for who twitching is the first sign before weakness sets in. I hope it is BFS but fear that it is not. I have an incredible amount of anxiety and fear about what is happening and I'm sure this could account for some of the trembling in my hands and possibly the some of twitching.
My questions are as follows:
1. Since twitching and tremor appeared both in my right and left hand more or less simultaneously, isn't this out of character with how ALS normally presents.
2. How quickly does ALS move from a hand to the foot? It seemed to happen in about one month in my case (if this is indeed ALS). Isn't this incredibly fast for ALS to move from one limb to another?
3. Does this present as ALS in your opinion? Scared my neuro might have missed something.
4. Weakness seems to be absent although I have cramping in my arms and legs so that may be something to that too.
I have an EMG/NCS scheduled in about three weeks but that feels a lifetime away. I have a five year old daughter and wife who I fear to leave behind.
For all of you who are struggling with ALS and currently diagnosed, my heart goes out to you. I am honored and humbled that you have created this forum where people can find more out about this disease and hope you may help me figure out what is happening.
Thanks.