carlogio
Member
- Joined
- Jan 28, 2008
- Messages
- 20
- Reason
- Learn about ALS
- Country
- UK
- State
- London
- City
- London
Hi everyone, I've posted a thread before about my symptoms and wanted to ask for more advice. My heart goes out to anybody affected by ALS. I'm male and 22 years old.
Recently I've been very concerned with the loss of muscle in the area between my thumb and index finger in my left hand. It's now turned to a small ball that I can flex and the loose skin in the space the muscle used to be. The reason I noticed the difference in the muscle in my left hand is because I compared it to the same on my right hand, where the muscle was much, much bigger and stronger. This also has led to muscle being lost in my bicep in my upper left arm, and it's noticable. It looks like a grill or something where the muscle has depressed and I do not have this in my right arm. It's new. I was anxious about this and noticed whenever I try to exercise with my left arm, it shakes, and gets tired very easily. I have definitely lost strength in my left arm too.
So I had an EMG recently to try and ease my concerns, as I also noticed my tongue was jumping about strangely and other muscles were twitching and fasciculating without touch. The doctor did not test my tongue as he said I was talking fine and refused to.
The doctor found nothing wrong with my muscles, so that was a relief! I was ready to move on with my life and try and get on with things.
BUT I have now noticed the muscle mass between my thumb and my index finger on my RIGHT hand is now doing the same thing as the left, and has got very small. Also my little fingers on both hands don't work well anymore, they are stiff and I'm finding it hard to handle small objects.
My question is this... would an EMG taken from one side of the body ignore any problems on the left? I'm concerned that as I was only tested on my right hand side a few weeks ago.
The neurologist also said I shouldn't worry, that my EMG was normal, that my MRI of head and spine was normal, that my bloods were normal, but my body is STILL twitching, my left arm is WEAK and shakes with any exercise (I can only manage 3 or 4 push ups! before, I would do 10-20!) and now my right hand is doing the same.
I'm also still experiencing mystery symptoms (at least to the neurologist) not connected to ALS -- ringing in my ears, severe light sensitivity since December, and a permanant tremor. Put this on top of a hole found in my right retina and my stress levels have hit the roof.
Should I seek a second opinion? The neuro didn't even look at my muscles properly and I assume just thought I was worrying over nothing. I've pushed my work, friends and family to the limits in regards to my recent problems and they are sick of it. I am too.
What should I do? Thanks for reading.
Recently I've been very concerned with the loss of muscle in the area between my thumb and index finger in my left hand. It's now turned to a small ball that I can flex and the loose skin in the space the muscle used to be. The reason I noticed the difference in the muscle in my left hand is because I compared it to the same on my right hand, where the muscle was much, much bigger and stronger. This also has led to muscle being lost in my bicep in my upper left arm, and it's noticable. It looks like a grill or something where the muscle has depressed and I do not have this in my right arm. It's new. I was anxious about this and noticed whenever I try to exercise with my left arm, it shakes, and gets tired very easily. I have definitely lost strength in my left arm too.
So I had an EMG recently to try and ease my concerns, as I also noticed my tongue was jumping about strangely and other muscles were twitching and fasciculating without touch. The doctor did not test my tongue as he said I was talking fine and refused to.
The doctor found nothing wrong with my muscles, so that was a relief! I was ready to move on with my life and try and get on with things.
BUT I have now noticed the muscle mass between my thumb and my index finger on my RIGHT hand is now doing the same thing as the left, and has got very small. Also my little fingers on both hands don't work well anymore, they are stiff and I'm finding it hard to handle small objects.
My question is this... would an EMG taken from one side of the body ignore any problems on the left? I'm concerned that as I was only tested on my right hand side a few weeks ago.
The neurologist also said I shouldn't worry, that my EMG was normal, that my MRI of head and spine was normal, that my bloods were normal, but my body is STILL twitching, my left arm is WEAK and shakes with any exercise (I can only manage 3 or 4 push ups! before, I would do 10-20!) and now my right hand is doing the same.
I'm also still experiencing mystery symptoms (at least to the neurologist) not connected to ALS -- ringing in my ears, severe light sensitivity since December, and a permanant tremor. Put this on top of a hole found in my right retina and my stress levels have hit the roof.
Should I seek a second opinion? The neuro didn't even look at my muscles properly and I assume just thought I was worrying over nothing. I've pushed my work, friends and family to the limits in regards to my recent problems and they are sick of it. I am too.
What should I do? Thanks for reading.