JenniferSex1
New member
- Joined
- Feb 23, 2015
- Messages
- 5
- Reason
- Learn about ALS
- Country
- US
- State
- Michigan
- City
- Saline
Hi all,
I have been a bit of a lurker on here for the past two weeks or so. A month ago today, I started noticing a lot of myoclonic jerks (more so than normal) when I would go to sleep at night. It was just the jerks at night for a couple of days, which made it hard to sleep and I also had a strange "restless leg"-type sensation in both of my legs. I had a lot of jerkiness for about a week, with a few intermittent popping twitches in various areas throughout my body. Of course I went and googled my symptoms and began to fear ALS big-time. I went to my GP who said she wasn't sure what it was, possibly anxiety, and prescribed Valium. I then went and saw a neurologist, who was kind enough to get me in on a morning's notice (a minor miracle in and of itself, I think!). I had a neuro exam and blood work. My bloodwork revealed no thyroid issues, no vitamin deficiencies -- nada. (I was kind of hoping it would and that would be the problem solved!) I shared my ALS fears with the neuro, and he stated he felt it was extremely unlikely I had als, even more so after the exam (which he told me showed nothing unusual). He thought it was possibly tension and BFS. Since that neuro visit the jerking and buzzing sensations in my body have gone for the most part, however now I am "popping" twitches everywhere intermittently -- arms, legs, feet, thighs, shoulder blades, stomach, butt...everywhere. I also have pain in what I can best describe as my left wrist and the "webbed" area between the thumb and forefinger which seems to increase a bit with activity and my arms and legs seem to tire a bit more easily. I seem to be dropping little things a bit more with the left hand but I'm not sure if this is truly an increase or I am just more aware of any odd little symptom. I felt better for about two days after my neuro appointment and then the twitches started popping up everywhere and I felt like I was back to square one.
I have read the stickies and I am truly confused. Some say twitching alone is not an indicator of ALS, that you must have weakness as well. Then I see people state that they had twitching first and weakness and atrophy came afterwards. Or that they had an emg that was clean but a few months later another that was "dirty". I have not had an EMG but plan to ask my neurologist if having one would be reasonable.
I will be very honest with you all: I absolutely have anxiety and have all my life. I know the mind is a very powerful thing. I have a son who is six and a daughter who is two and I tear up at the thought of not seeing them grow up. I am crying as I write this and am desperately afraid. I see so many people on here who do in fact have ALS and how kind they are to answer questions and help others, and God bless you all for it. I have debated posting on here for awhile, but if anyone can give me any thoughts, advice, experience, I would be forever grateful. Thank you so much.
Jennifer
I have been a bit of a lurker on here for the past two weeks or so. A month ago today, I started noticing a lot of myoclonic jerks (more so than normal) when I would go to sleep at night. It was just the jerks at night for a couple of days, which made it hard to sleep and I also had a strange "restless leg"-type sensation in both of my legs. I had a lot of jerkiness for about a week, with a few intermittent popping twitches in various areas throughout my body. Of course I went and googled my symptoms and began to fear ALS big-time. I went to my GP who said she wasn't sure what it was, possibly anxiety, and prescribed Valium. I then went and saw a neurologist, who was kind enough to get me in on a morning's notice (a minor miracle in and of itself, I think!). I had a neuro exam and blood work. My bloodwork revealed no thyroid issues, no vitamin deficiencies -- nada. (I was kind of hoping it would and that would be the problem solved!) I shared my ALS fears with the neuro, and he stated he felt it was extremely unlikely I had als, even more so after the exam (which he told me showed nothing unusual). He thought it was possibly tension and BFS. Since that neuro visit the jerking and buzzing sensations in my body have gone for the most part, however now I am "popping" twitches everywhere intermittently -- arms, legs, feet, thighs, shoulder blades, stomach, butt...everywhere. I also have pain in what I can best describe as my left wrist and the "webbed" area between the thumb and forefinger which seems to increase a bit with activity and my arms and legs seem to tire a bit more easily. I seem to be dropping little things a bit more with the left hand but I'm not sure if this is truly an increase or I am just more aware of any odd little symptom. I felt better for about two days after my neuro appointment and then the twitches started popping up everywhere and I felt like I was back to square one.
I have read the stickies and I am truly confused. Some say twitching alone is not an indicator of ALS, that you must have weakness as well. Then I see people state that they had twitching first and weakness and atrophy came afterwards. Or that they had an emg that was clean but a few months later another that was "dirty". I have not had an EMG but plan to ask my neurologist if having one would be reasonable.
I will be very honest with you all: I absolutely have anxiety and have all my life. I know the mind is a very powerful thing. I have a son who is six and a daughter who is two and I tear up at the thought of not seeing them grow up. I am crying as I write this and am desperately afraid. I see so many people on here who do in fact have ALS and how kind they are to answer questions and help others, and God bless you all for it. I have debated posting on here for awhile, but if anyone can give me any thoughts, advice, experience, I would be forever grateful. Thank you so much.
Jennifer