- Joined
- Mar 23, 2022
- Messages
- 8
- Reason
- Learn about ALS
- Diagnosis
- 00/0000
- Country
- US
- State
- GA
- City
- Atlanta
I am a 50 year old male. Until this past September I would have said I was in excellent shape for someone my age. I worked out 6 days a week, ate well, and took overall good care of myself. I started feeling like I had bronchitis and after a run could not catch my breath at all. I went to my PCP. They did a chest X-ray and found I had an elevated right hemidiaphragm. They gave me some meds and told me if I wasn't better to come back. I didn't improve much. I have a personal friend that is a pulmonologist. I visited them and they said the lungs had cleared up but the diaphragm was still elevated. We did a sniff test and it confirmed that it was paralyzed. They did a series of blood work and found everything normal. My CK, thyroid, nuclear antibodies all good.
I went to my PCP and they did an extensive blood analysis and the pulmonologist set me up for a cervical MRI. Which revealed severe forminal stenosis on C3, C4, C5 (more severe between C4 and C5). I was then referred to a neuro surgeon who said while damage was present he didn't think it was enough to warrant surgery. I explained I was concerned it could be ALS. He checked my grip and some general muscle test and performed the Hoffman test. He said he didn't see any signs of ALS, but that he would refer me to a neurologist. I have an appointment with them on April 4.
The more I read the more concerned I am that this going to be, in fact, ALS. Here are my questions: Does anyone else have a history of unilateral diaphragm paralysis? And I think my right bicep is experiencing atrophy along with my right trap. I am literally scared to death. My wife passed away 2 years ago and I am all my son has left and I am despondent thinking I am about to leave him with no one. I can't function daily and it is impacting my day to day life in ways that I could never have imagined. I am consumed that the diaphragm HAS to be ALS. My lung functions are about the same as they were 6 months ago, but not better, static.
Would respiratory functions progress at this slow of a rate or would I have seen more decline? Any information is helpful. I worked for and with Ted Harada at FedEx and knew him well. I know he made great strides in ALS and want to help anyway I can. I am super upset and would appreciate any guidance or information you share. Finally, I have zero strength loss. I can still lift at the levels I always have. Would atrophy come before weakness or is it the other way around. I appreciate any information. I am searched out.
Has anyone had paralyzed diaphragm as the presenting symptom of ALS?
I went to my PCP and they did an extensive blood analysis and the pulmonologist set me up for a cervical MRI. Which revealed severe forminal stenosis on C3, C4, C5 (more severe between C4 and C5). I was then referred to a neuro surgeon who said while damage was present he didn't think it was enough to warrant surgery. I explained I was concerned it could be ALS. He checked my grip and some general muscle test and performed the Hoffman test. He said he didn't see any signs of ALS, but that he would refer me to a neurologist. I have an appointment with them on April 4.
The more I read the more concerned I am that this going to be, in fact, ALS. Here are my questions: Does anyone else have a history of unilateral diaphragm paralysis? And I think my right bicep is experiencing atrophy along with my right trap. I am literally scared to death. My wife passed away 2 years ago and I am all my son has left and I am despondent thinking I am about to leave him with no one. I can't function daily and it is impacting my day to day life in ways that I could never have imagined. I am consumed that the diaphragm HAS to be ALS. My lung functions are about the same as they were 6 months ago, but not better, static.
Would respiratory functions progress at this slow of a rate or would I have seen more decline? Any information is helpful. I worked for and with Ted Harada at FedEx and knew him well. I know he made great strides in ALS and want to help anyway I can. I am super upset and would appreciate any guidance or information you share. Finally, I have zero strength loss. I can still lift at the levels I always have. Would atrophy come before weakness or is it the other way around. I appreciate any information. I am searched out.
Has anyone had paralyzed diaphragm as the presenting symptom of ALS?
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