suzannj
Distinguished member
- Joined
- Jul 5, 2008
- Messages
- 121
- Reason
- Learn about ALS
- Country
- US
- State
- NY
- City
- Buffalo
Hi Everyone,
I am physically sick at the the thought that I may actually have ALS. I feel like I'm living in a fog, and the more I read about ALS the more I see myself, and the more terrified I become. I am only 37 years old. My beautiful baby is only ONE, the thought of leaving him or of becoming so disabled is the most horrible thing I can ever imagine. If anyone out there would take the time to read my "symptoms" and tell me what you think I would greatly appreciate any feedback. Thank you in advance.
* I started having muscle spasms about 2 months ago. Started in my right calf and lasted for 3 days almost non-stop. Fast forward, and now they have moved almost everywhere. A different spot everyday, and sometimes multiple times a day in different areas on and off.
* Also about 3 months ago I started feeling like my lower legs were mildly falling asleep, kind-of numbish with some pins & needles sensations.
* Mild cramping in both calves and back of left thigh began about a week ago. Today my right lower leg is actually sore from the cramping.
* Slightly raspy voice on and off, and this annoying clear-my-throat-mild-cough thing also began just about a week ago.
1) If this is ALS would the muscle spasms/cramping be isolated to one area only?
2) How fast would symtoms progress? Is the above timeline too quick to be ALS?
3) Do the spasms and cramps come together? (i.e. If my upper arm is twitching and this were indeed ALS would I also have cramping in that part of my arm?)
4) How soon would feelings of weakness begin? And would it be in the muscles that have already been cramping and spasming?
.......just one more question
5) Can someone describe what the weakness / atrophy associated with ALS feels like? Is it unmistakable? For example, I was carrying my son on my hip today as usual and I just felt like I HAD to put him down or risk dropping him because my left arm felt SO fatigued, and that was only after 5 minutes or less which is unusual for me.
Thus far I feel I have not lost any fine motor control in my hands, no tripping over things or troubles walking.
ANY feedback would be so appreciated. I can't stop crying right now and feel so incredibly desperate. I just went to my GP, and we've only started with some basic blood tests including magnesium levels.
What a horrific thing this is for anyone to deal with, I don't know how any person handles hearing this diagnosis.
Thank you,
Suzann
I am physically sick at the the thought that I may actually have ALS. I feel like I'm living in a fog, and the more I read about ALS the more I see myself, and the more terrified I become. I am only 37 years old. My beautiful baby is only ONE, the thought of leaving him or of becoming so disabled is the most horrible thing I can ever imagine. If anyone out there would take the time to read my "symptoms" and tell me what you think I would greatly appreciate any feedback. Thank you in advance.
* I started having muscle spasms about 2 months ago. Started in my right calf and lasted for 3 days almost non-stop. Fast forward, and now they have moved almost everywhere. A different spot everyday, and sometimes multiple times a day in different areas on and off.
* Also about 3 months ago I started feeling like my lower legs were mildly falling asleep, kind-of numbish with some pins & needles sensations.
* Mild cramping in both calves and back of left thigh began about a week ago. Today my right lower leg is actually sore from the cramping.
* Slightly raspy voice on and off, and this annoying clear-my-throat-mild-cough thing also began just about a week ago.
1) If this is ALS would the muscle spasms/cramping be isolated to one area only?
2) How fast would symtoms progress? Is the above timeline too quick to be ALS?
3) Do the spasms and cramps come together? (i.e. If my upper arm is twitching and this were indeed ALS would I also have cramping in that part of my arm?)
4) How soon would feelings of weakness begin? And would it be in the muscles that have already been cramping and spasming?
.......just one more question
5) Can someone describe what the weakness / atrophy associated with ALS feels like? Is it unmistakable? For example, I was carrying my son on my hip today as usual and I just felt like I HAD to put him down or risk dropping him because my left arm felt SO fatigued, and that was only after 5 minutes or less which is unusual for me.
Thus far I feel I have not lost any fine motor control in my hands, no tripping over things or troubles walking.
ANY feedback would be so appreciated. I can't stop crying right now and feel so incredibly desperate. I just went to my GP, and we've only started with some basic blood tests including magnesium levels.
What a horrific thing this is for anyone to deal with, I don't know how any person handles hearing this diagnosis.
Thank you,
Suzann