twitch with pls?

[Zaphoon]

I'm wondering how long muscles can remain stiff before they give out. I just can't get over how long my lower back and neck have been stiff. For me, the stiffness is at its worst in the morning when I first get up. The stiffnes usually lets up in my legs after walking a bit. I think the stiffness can also create the illusion that muscles are weak. I believe I may be confusing the weakness I seem to feel when going up stairs for stiff muscles. Any thoughts from anyone on this?

 

[awieleba]

zaphoon,

not sure? I am going to start PT, so we will see if it helps me. I want to keep a open mind but just dont think it will help, guess thats not an open mind! I will let you know how it helps me or not.

Take care,

april

 

[Zaphoon]

April,
You know, after I posted my last, I remembered those strength tests the neuros give you. My right arm & leg were weaker than left counterparts. My right big toe also had upward movement in plantar reflex so, this makes sense. But... I believe tight muscles can cause the illusion of weakness or strain during movement.

Let me know how you feel post PT. Good luck!

Zaphoon

 

[mitchel friedow]

Hi April,

Sorry to hear about what you are dealing with, as the physical discomfort and the uncertainty of what is going on, can be very difficult to handle sometimes. I'm glad to hear you have had two clean EMG's, but I have to agree with some of the others that having two in one month is unusual. The neurologists at Mayo Clinic check me about once a year. I was wondering if you have had a complete MRI done on your neck and spine. The professional opinion of the neurosurgeon that has seen me before, is that one or more pinched nerves in the neck and or spine, can cause symptoms that can resemble motor neuron involvment. In fact, when I suffered my first injury to the L5-S1 disk in my spine, the damage done to the nerve root going to my left leg caused some permanent atrophy to my left calf muscle. In my case my back problem was obvious, but according to my neurosurgeon sometimes a pinched nerve can be less noticable with no back pain, but can produce symptoms of motor neuron involvement. Just a thought. I hope it turns out to be something other than PLS.

Best wihes,

Mitch Friedow

 

[awieleba]

Thanks mitch,

Yes, I have has my entire spine and brain mri'd. The only thing they fond was some 'slightly bulding discks' in my neck, slight scolosis, begining of osteoarthritis (I am 36), a small tarlsov (sp) cyst on the right side of spine, my neuro did not indicate that the cyst was a concern.

Anyway, I only had 2 mris in a one month period because my first was with the local neuro and then I went to the als clinic and they did they own. I also just a muscle biopsy. The result was 'scatterd atrophic fibers'. my neuro said no denervation/renervation or group atrophy so that this was good news as far as als......well, good news to me would be "normal'.

anyway, take care. do you have pls? I am sure that I dont. I have umn signs (brisk reflexes) and lower (twiching and some atrphy).

take care,

april

 

[Geo]

April .Fond is found . Buldging ,not bulding , LOL . Small Torso ,not torsolov LOL .LOL You must be in a hurry LOL. How About EMG ? this is a Must to get a diagnoses . They cant find Atrophic Scattered fibers with an MRI . Now Come On . This needs more Inclusive Explanation . I have found that hospitals do this , they dont readily accept anothers Tests Conclusions. GOT TO TELL YOU SOMETHING ,HEY . Geo

 

[mitchel friedow]

April,

The neurologists at Mayo Clinic haven't determined what form of Motor Neuron Disease that I have at this point. I have many upper motor motor neuron signs, but show no muscle atrophy. They have discussed PLS as a possibility. The reason they will not commit to a firm diagnosis, is because I have not gone past the time frame, in which I could still end up having ALS.

Once again, I hope your diagnosis does not turn out to be serious. Keep those EMG's normal and keep your spirits high. Let us know how things are going for you. My best wishes are with you.

Mitch Friedow

 

[awieleba]

Geo,

yes, I am always in big hurry as I have a 7yr, 4yr and a 10 month baby who need my attention, so I dont spell check...sorry to you all. ANd when I am typing I am holding my baby at the same time! They deserve my attention so everyone else will have to deal with spelling errors!

NOTE-my scartted atophic fibers were found with my mucsle biopsy not MRI, that was a typ-o. MY emg was clean as of may 30th.

I dont think that I have pls anyway with my lmn and umn involvement, so I will spare you posting here with my hurried typing.LOL

april

 

[sral]

April,

Life is hurried for many of us. Please don't take offense to the typo remark. We are here for you if you need us regardless of whether you have umn and lmn involvement. If you're going through a difficult time and want to talk this forum is for you.