nangel
New member
- Joined
- Aug 1, 2021
- Messages
- 6
- Reason
- Learn about ALS
- Diagnosis
- 00/0000
- Country
- US
- State
- GA
Hi everyone,
I’m a 24 year old male and over the past couple of months I’ve been going through a variety of symptoms that led me to believe I had multiple sclerosis. Over the past few months, I would develop twitching in all areas of my body, dull pain in my legs that would be worst in the middle of the night and early hours of the day, dull pain around and behind my eyes, temporary weakness in arms in the middle of the night, and internal tremors. Now these are all observed symptoms and from reading the “Before you post” thread I understand the vast array of other causes for these symptoms. I also understand that it is an infinitesimal chance that I have ALS at 24.
However, my neurologist observed that I have hyperreflexia and clonus in both legs.. I have already had an MRI of my brain and cervical spine, both of which have come back clean. The radiologist and neurologist indicated there are no signs of lesions. He has ruled out MS. I have negative HIV and ANA tests. This raises a red flag to me considering clonus and spasticity are indicative of upper motor neuron lesions. Now for my fasciculations, I’ve noticed that I have them now mainly deep in my left leg — like an electrical current is pulsing for most of the day. I also have noticed fasciculations in my left foot and on my tongue as well. I do get occasional fasciculations elsewhere on my body still, but not to the degree that my left leg experiences. I have not noticed any signs of weakness or stumbling yet. Sometimes when I go on walks I will experience a quick twinge of pain in my calf or knee area, but not enough to where I stop in my tracks or anything. Pretty much each morning after a walk I will feel the dull pain or stiffness in my legs, but will go away after I get up and move around.
From what my neurologist has observed, my test results, the pain I experience daily after walks, and the fasciculations that are primarily in my left leg, does anyone see any sort of red flag for ALS here? I’ve been breaking down this past week at the thought that my life would be cut short by this.. It truly does feel like the walls are closing in and I’m on course for the worst destination.. I told my girlfriend we would grow old together or I would die trying. I just never thought it could possibly be so soon.
Thank you all in advance for any insight.
I’m a 24 year old male and over the past couple of months I’ve been going through a variety of symptoms that led me to believe I had multiple sclerosis. Over the past few months, I would develop twitching in all areas of my body, dull pain in my legs that would be worst in the middle of the night and early hours of the day, dull pain around and behind my eyes, temporary weakness in arms in the middle of the night, and internal tremors. Now these are all observed symptoms and from reading the “Before you post” thread I understand the vast array of other causes for these symptoms. I also understand that it is an infinitesimal chance that I have ALS at 24.
However, my neurologist observed that I have hyperreflexia and clonus in both legs.. I have already had an MRI of my brain and cervical spine, both of which have come back clean. The radiologist and neurologist indicated there are no signs of lesions. He has ruled out MS. I have negative HIV and ANA tests. This raises a red flag to me considering clonus and spasticity are indicative of upper motor neuron lesions. Now for my fasciculations, I’ve noticed that I have them now mainly deep in my left leg — like an electrical current is pulsing for most of the day. I also have noticed fasciculations in my left foot and on my tongue as well. I do get occasional fasciculations elsewhere on my body still, but not to the degree that my left leg experiences. I have not noticed any signs of weakness or stumbling yet. Sometimes when I go on walks I will experience a quick twinge of pain in my calf or knee area, but not enough to where I stop in my tracks or anything. Pretty much each morning after a walk I will feel the dull pain or stiffness in my legs, but will go away after I get up and move around.
From what my neurologist has observed, my test results, the pain I experience daily after walks, and the fasciculations that are primarily in my left leg, does anyone see any sort of red flag for ALS here? I’ve been breaking down this past week at the thought that my life would be cut short by this.. It truly does feel like the walls are closing in and I’m on course for the worst destination.. I told my girlfriend we would grow old together or I would die trying. I just never thought it could possibly be so soon.
Thank you all in advance for any insight.