whiteknight1973
New member
- Joined
- Oct 21, 2008
- Messages
- 5
- Reason
- Learn about ALS
- Country
- uk
- State
- surrey
- City
- london
Hi all
like anyone who suspects they might have ALS I'm going absolutely frantic. Even the thought of ALS is terrifying...especially for me as my wife is 8 months pregnant.
I'm going to post my whole story here, and I'd really really apreciate anyones/everyones opinions and thoughts. I have convinced myself I have ALS. I have posted elsewhere on a different thread, but only got limited (but helpful) responses.
All my symptoms appear to have come on fairly quickly, but then when you think back you remember something and think hmm did I have weakness back then etc, or was this or that a sign I missed. I think you all know where I am coming from right? The human imagination is a terrible thing.
Ok so here is a chronology of what happened.....
Week 1
Fasciculations started all over. Completely random. Very big thumpers. Always single fasciculatins (not multiples in one place). They could be as much as 30 minutes apart.
General weakness appears all over my body.
Noticed my muscles shake when ever I try and do anything. e.g. holding a bottle of milk out in front of me with a straight arm.
Week 2
Right calf has become tight. Not too bothersome.
Week 3
Calf is tighter and hurts when I walk. Not too bothersome walking around the house only when out and about.
Noticed fasciculations have become 'softer'. I can barely feel them now, but they are definitely still there.
Week 4
Calf feels like I have pulled a muscle even though I have done nothing to pull it. Really bothers me when I am out. Though it doesnt seem weaker than the rest of my body.
Still feel like I am weaker all over so I tested it. Did some moderate exercise. My muscles 'burn' upon repetive action (e.g. flexes the foot up and down 5 times).
Week 5
Calf feels worse. Noticed that at rest it sort of tingles kind of like cold water running over it. I permanently have that feeling there sort like the feeling you get right before you get the pins and needs starting when you know you've sat in the wrong position for too long. Def not cramp though.
When I wake up during the night is when I feel worse. I can barely clench a fist if I wake up during the night. I stumble going to the toilet as my balance is poor. Pins and needles sensation particularly in my hands.
So thats it....
My weakness is very apparent even to my wife. The thing that gives me hope is that it is very symetrical. What concerns me is what is happening to my calf. i.e. to the uneducated like me it looks like the start of ALS
So tell me truthfully am I worrying too much?
Oh and just as a side note though it may be completely unrelated. I have also had an odd taste on one side of my tongue and during the above mentioned period I also had conjunctivitis twice with light sensitivity and dizziness (it came, went, and came back again and has now gone).
like anyone who suspects they might have ALS I'm going absolutely frantic. Even the thought of ALS is terrifying...especially for me as my wife is 8 months pregnant.
I'm going to post my whole story here, and I'd really really apreciate anyones/everyones opinions and thoughts. I have convinced myself I have ALS. I have posted elsewhere on a different thread, but only got limited (but helpful) responses.
All my symptoms appear to have come on fairly quickly, but then when you think back you remember something and think hmm did I have weakness back then etc, or was this or that a sign I missed. I think you all know where I am coming from right? The human imagination is a terrible thing.
Ok so here is a chronology of what happened.....
Week 1
Fasciculations started all over. Completely random. Very big thumpers. Always single fasciculatins (not multiples in one place). They could be as much as 30 minutes apart.
General weakness appears all over my body.
Noticed my muscles shake when ever I try and do anything. e.g. holding a bottle of milk out in front of me with a straight arm.
Week 2
Right calf has become tight. Not too bothersome.
Week 3
Calf is tighter and hurts when I walk. Not too bothersome walking around the house only when out and about.
Noticed fasciculations have become 'softer'. I can barely feel them now, but they are definitely still there.
Week 4
Calf feels like I have pulled a muscle even though I have done nothing to pull it. Really bothers me when I am out. Though it doesnt seem weaker than the rest of my body.
Still feel like I am weaker all over so I tested it. Did some moderate exercise. My muscles 'burn' upon repetive action (e.g. flexes the foot up and down 5 times).
Week 5
Calf feels worse. Noticed that at rest it sort of tingles kind of like cold water running over it. I permanently have that feeling there sort like the feeling you get right before you get the pins and needs starting when you know you've sat in the wrong position for too long. Def not cramp though.
When I wake up during the night is when I feel worse. I can barely clench a fist if I wake up during the night. I stumble going to the toilet as my balance is poor. Pins and needles sensation particularly in my hands.
So thats it....
My weakness is very apparent even to my wife. The thing that gives me hope is that it is very symetrical. What concerns me is what is happening to my calf. i.e. to the uneducated like me it looks like the start of ALS
So tell me truthfully am I worrying too much?
Oh and just as a side note though it may be completely unrelated. I have also had an odd taste on one side of my tongue and during the above mentioned period I also had conjunctivitis twice with light sensitivity and dizziness (it came, went, and came back again and has now gone).