Thanks Jeff! Wright maybe Wrong
So if someone is seeking advice on here and giving symptoms that truly have nothing to do with the etiology of ALS, I think it's irresponsible to tell them that you know of a PAL that has such a symptom, but it truly has nothing to do with ALS
As far as I have read, weakness will precede twitching, in the majority of cases, or at least go hand in hand. ALS is rare, twitching before weakness is rarer still.
Initial Symptoms of the Disease:
At the onset of ALS the symptoms may be so slight that they are frequently overlooked. With regard to the appearance of symptoms and the progression of the illness, the course of the disease may include the following:
muscle weakness in one or more of the following: hands, arms, legs or the muscles of speech, swallowing or breathing
twitching (fasciculation) and cramping of muscles, especially those in the hands and feet
impairment of the use of the arms and legs
"thick speech" and difficulty in projecting the voice
in more advanced stages, shortness of breath, difficulty in breathing and swallowing
The initial symptoms of ALS can be quite varied in different people. One person may experience tripping over carpet edges, another person may have trouble lifting and a third person's early symptom may be slurred speech.
The rate at which ALS progresses can be quite variable from one person to another.
Although the mean survival time with ALS is three to five years, many people live five, ten or more years. In a small number of people, ALS is known to remit or halt its progression, though there is no scientific understanding as to how and why this happens. Symptoms can begin in the muscles of speech, swallowing or in the hands, arms, legs or feet. Not all people with ALS experience the same symptoms or the same sequences or patterns of progression.
Wright:I am not trying to scare people. I am not going just on one PALS symptoms. If you were familiar with me, not only do I know a lot of people on this Forum. I know people with ALS ouside this Forum. Bert I know with ALS for 25 years, on Life Support for 5. He can still type with his toes. In your conclusion I would think he couldn't move by now. My brother was Dx in March 05. In June 06 he lost total use of his arms. His arms dangled (like a puppet, figure of speech) for 1-1/2 years before his legs started getting weak. He still has some use of them. He can talk well and eat. In your theory,whouldn't He and Bert be long gone by now. They have beat the odds. Or am I being factual about the slow progression. ALS is not new to me.
I read on your profile that you are interested about learning about ALS. Not that you have ALS. Are you a Student/Doctor What?
If a person is Dx with BFS what are they doing on an ALS Forum, if they were not concerned about ALS?
"giving symptoms that truly have nothing to do with the etiology of ALS, I think it's irresponsible"
Should I say more?
Lorie