Unsure about my symptoms. Really anxious.

[tulipsnroses348]

I’m coming here because I’m worried. I do suffer from health anxiety, but what I’m experiencing is very real and it’s scaring me. I’m only 18, so this seems absolutely insane, but I’m scared I might have MND/ALS.

P.s there is also history in my family of the condition, I don’t know if it’s genetic though.

I’ve been suffering recently with my right arm feeling weak and sore. For example I was drying my hair today and it began to shake badly and I had to stop because it felt so tired.
Also my right arm, I have a constant shaking in my fingers, and what feels like a constant vibration in my upper arm and shoulder, and even some of my neck. I’ve also been struggling with this in both of my legs.
I find it hard to extend my fingers as they are stiff and shake when I do.
I’ve also generally been very fatigued recently.

I’m really anxious about this, and I’m going to see my GP. I know I shouldn’t spend my life worrying, and that I am really young. I just came here because I wanted to see if anyone could offer me any other explanations to calm my mind, or if I do genuinely need to be worried about this.

 

[Nikki J]

Who in your family had ALS. How old were they? Even if you have a true fals family history unless it struck close relatives very young this is irrelevant at 18.

Weak and sore vibration and shaking doesn’t sound like als. The most common explanation is post viral even if you haven’t been sick post covid often appears months later too. I am glad you are seeing your doctor who can examine you and do tests

 

[tulipsnroses348]

On my dad’s side, his grandma and also on my mums side hers too. They were both in their 40’s, so that makes me feel better.

I haven’t been sick at all recently, i had pneumonia last year, but it was bacterial, could this be linked with anything?

Even while im sat here now typing this, in my right arm it feels like it is twitching slightly. My fingers also shake, especially my middle one on my left hand. And I’ve been out for 2 walks today and my right leg starts to shake after about 10 minutes of walking- I find it hard to put my weight on it essentially. Does this sound anything like symptoms that would be related to ALS? Sorry to keep asking, I’m just really overthinking stuff while I wait to see doctors. Perhaps even my anxiety is creating symptoms/worsening them.

 

[Nikki J]

Two presumably unrelated great grandparents sound like a sad coincidence of two sporadic cases so it doesn’t sound like you have increased genetic risk at all

This doesn’t sound like als to me.

You could have had a silent virus or a viral infection along with your bacterial pneumonia

Best to stay away from ALS sites and google. They will only make you worry. Keep busy and active while you wait for your appointment

 

[tulipsnroses348]

that’s good, i just panicked and thought that if it was on both sides it might be more likely, but i dont know how genes work obviously

i saw a doctor and she said she hasn’t got any concerns with my strength or mobility or anything like that. she didn’t really say much about the twitching- i’ve found that i keep getting twitches in my arms and legs, and sometimes my face and also my tongue. should i just keep an eye on this, is it anything at all to worry about?

 

[Nikki J]

It isn’t anything to worry about and rather than focus on it ignore it. The more you concentrate on it the more you twitch. Your doctor cleared you of anything significant go live your life

 

[tulipsnroses348]

thank you i feel better now. i’m just working on just letting it go with my counsellor as i struggle with fixating on and constantly checking things. thanks a lot for your help