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rickymm3

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philadelphia
Hi everyone. About 2 years ago, my dad started with a small potato size numbness on his calf, along with nearly endless amounts of fasciculations all over his body. 2 years later, and after many visits to HUP and John Hopkins, we are just about out of hope.

At this point, he has complete numbness in his left leg, which is starting to spread into his right.

Enough with the background, my question involves his recent biopsy. They were checking for inflammation and gave him a nasty few cuts on the top and bottom of his legs. At some point following this procedure, he got a nasty abrasion right next to his stitches.

This abrasion got infected and is not healing normally. Since we have not yet gotten a 100% diagnosis of ALS, and since contacting the doctor for questions like this is difficult, I wanted to ask how numbness and or ALS affects cuts/abrasions, and overall healing in the affected body parts. Is it common for infections and an incredibly slow healing time?

Any past experiences or knowledge would be helpful! Thanks!
 
Numbness usually isnt a symptom of ALS. Have the doc's mentioned ALS, or are you assuming?
Also- ALS itself wont affect healing of a wound. Lack of blood flow can affect it tho.
 
Definitely ask the doctor soon. My Dad has type II diabetes that affects his body's ability to heal. There could be any number of other reasons as well, but a wound that won't heal needs medical attention.
 
Numbness is not a part of ALS. Has your dad actually been diagnosed with ALS? From the description you gave of just numbness(which isn't a symptom), and fasciulations - which in itself is not indicative of ALS either...are not enough to have him be diagnosed.

Has he had a EMG? What do the neuros say?....not what you spectulate it is.

It is possible for slow healing time for an area of the body that is not getting the correct blood flow...or it is not used enough. Does your father still walk? The less active he is, the more time it takes the body to circulate the blood through the body to heal. Even something as simple but still complicated as poor circulation can cause problems healing in extremeties...do his feet get cold or turn blue or white often? This might mean that there is not enough blood supply making it down to the legs and he might have Rayneauds Phenomenon.

You gave us very little information to work with. Please tell use exactly what the specialists have told you...again...not what you think...we need reports/data/numbers/referrals/MRI results...etc.
 
Numbness is not part of symptom of A L S...Has he had an MRI, EMG, and all the other tests to rule out A L S? Yes blood flow to wound is needed for healing. Docs need to check it out.
 
The numness does not sound at all like ALS. As far as infection by his stitches and it getting infected and healing slowly you should definitely seek your Dr's advice. There are many types of antibiotic resitant bacteria's out there so seek medical attention from a professional.
 
My family, and my dad, are very aware that numbness is not a sign of ALS. His diagnosis has been very long and hard. The hope we have hung onto was indeed the fact that he had sensory loss, but the other week, the doc gave us the info for the ALS clinic and diagnosed him with something similar to, "ALS with strange symptoms."

He has had numerous EMGs, etc etc. Every test you can think of, multiple times. I am not "assuming" anything, and I have told you everything the doctors have told me(which was very vague and not useful). They are nearly 100% sure it is a motor neuron disease, and as I said, one doctor has recently come out and stated that he believes it is ALS.

We are still very skeptical, which is of course, why I am here. My dads case is very strange and even the best of the best have no clue what is going on.
 
Such a long road to Dx for your Dad and your family. I hope you'll find more answers and support when you go to Clinic.
 
I am sorry that you are going through all this. Sensory symptoms can be a part of ALS, but it's very very rare. Your dad of course could be in that group.

In answer to your question, ALS does not in itself cause slow healing, however, poor nutrition due to the inability to swallow, could cause a slowing in healing.
 
You have stated two different things from the dr. First you said they said "something similar to, "ALS with strange symptoms." " Which does not mean ALS...it means something similar to it...which there are Thousands of neuromuscular diseases out there it still could be.

Then you stated "They are nearly 100% sure it is a motor neuron disease, and as I said, one doctor has recently come out and stated that he believes it is ALS." Which sounds more like an ALS diagnosis...but still not diagnosed. That is why your specialist sent you on your way to an ALS clinic for more testing and correct diagnosis. IT could be that he does not have it! And still the other side, sure he could be a rare case with sensory issues and have the disease.

I believe it was my comment that upset you the most. You have to realize with the small amount of information you gave us to work with why we would be skeptical that it would be ALS. You did not mention any tests, or results that had been done. Just a slow healing wound, and sensory issues in one leg. With the many posts that come through, you have to understand that we get everything from people diagnosed with ALS, to people who are here hysterical about a twitching finger. With the information you gave in the beginning...it was not enough for any of us to say 'yeah your right, your dad has it.'

You still have not answered any of the questions like the EMG results, MRI results...etc. You said he had the tests...ok...where are the results?! Or if your father is still walking or what is physical condition is like besides the numbing and slow healing wound in the leg. We are trying to help, and find another reason for your father's condition...something curable. But we can not go further in helping you, if you will not help us...help you.
 
I am not "assuming" anything, and I have told you everything the doctors have told me(which was very vague and not useful). They are nearly 100% sure it is a motor neuron disease, and as I said, one doctor has recently come out and stated that he believes it is ALS.

We are still very skeptical, which is of course, why I am here. My dads case is very strange and even the best of the best have no clue what is going on.

If you and your family know that numbness has nothing to do with ALS, why did you put it front and center in your description of your father's symptoms?. And it really is bad form to complain when people respond to what you emphasized. Did you expect us to read your mind and figure out what you wanted to know?

Alyoop has given you one possibility for slow healing of wounds with ALS. Another possibility could be muscle spasms that could be pulling the wound edges apart, but that's a low probability since it could easily have been observed by now. If the wounds are in limbs that are functionally immobile, the blood circulation may be too poor in the area to promote quick healing because of the immobility and might be relieved by passive range of motion exercises, if they can be done safely without stressing the wound edges. .

And if "the best of the best" are stumped, what makes you think that a bunch of laypeople on the I n t e r n e t are going to be helpful? Heck, if you show the same ingratitude to your father's doctors that you did to the people here that offered opinions, it's no wonder that your father's doctors don't talk to you.

Good luck to your dad.
 
From the information (or lack there of) I'm going to throw my vote/guess to poor circulation. It is obvious that you are very distressed with the ALS diagnosis and still hoping against hope that the sensory issues can still point to something else other than ALS. My best suggestion would be to accompany your dad to the clinic, listen very carefully to all that is said and (at least while there) assume that the best of the best know what they are talking about and ask all the appropriate questions you can. Hoping you can accept your fathers diagnosis and get down to the work of helping him deal with the reality of his condition. All the best to you and your dad, please let use know how it goes.
 
If you and your family know that numbness has nothing to do with ALS, why did you put it front and center in your description of your father's symptoms?. And it really is bad form to complain when people respond to what you emphasized. Did you expect us to read your mind and figure out what you wanted to know?

Alyoop has given you one possibility for slow healing of wounds with ALS. Another possibility could be muscle spasms that could be pulling the wound edges apart, but that's a low probability since it could easily have been observed by now. If the wounds are in limbs that are functionally immobile, the blood circulation may be too poor in the area to promote quick healing because of the immobility and might be relieved by passive range of motion exercises, if they can be done safely without stressing the wound edges. .

And if "the best of the best" are stumped, what makes you think that a bunch of laypeople on the I n t e r n e t are going to be helpful? Heck, if you show the same ingratitude to your father's doctors that you did to the people here that offered opinions, it's no wonder that your father's doctors don't talk to you.

Good luck to your dad.

youre a jerk
 
Pardon me?. I've been to Philly many times and I know that 'you're a jerk' is in no way synonymous in any way with 'thank you for your time' - not even in any local vernacular.
 
I've been taking the approach of wait and see how these things are going to turn out before I put effort into a reply. Obviously I need to learn to wait a bit longer. :lol:
 
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