Very Worried...

[cumber]

Hello,
I am a 39 year old male in okay health (I am 50 lbs over my BMI and have been trying to lose weight through diet).
About 6 months ago I started noticing a twitch in my right finger. I thought nothing of it at the time, really. Then around that time, I noticed that my hand felt weaker, then my elbow and then my shoulder as well. I chalked this up to the fact that I broke my wrist when I was younger, and maybe this was nerve damage? I noticed that - sorry, TMI, I know - when I went to wipe my bottom with my right hand, it felt weird, like I had to force myself to reach back further (this has gotten worse). A twitch started in my elbow last month, which has persisted. Now a twitch is in my shoulder. It's tiring to hold a cup of coffee with my right hand (I feel the strain/fatigue in my shoulder as well) and yet I have no problem doing so with my left. Now I've been feeling weakness in my right foot and there are twitches in the foot and calf. I can't seem to sit comfortably how I used to with my left ankle on my right knee, as my right foot feels weaker/fatigued with the pressure on top. Just using my phone to type this feels straining on my shoulder. Also, my fingers on my right hand feel stiff? Like, flexing them straight feels awkward, like the muscles are stiff. My right shoulder and neck get this burning fatigue feeling. I absolutely see and feel some muscle loss on right side. Can things progress this quickly? I didn't even know exactly what ALS was (I apologize for my ignorance!) until I googled my symptoms last week.

Three more things : 1) about 2-3 months ago, I was tapping on my knee (music) and my leg flew out. I did it again and same thing. I thought nothing of it then, but now I see that reflexes are relevant.
2) I get the occasional twitching on the left side. Last week my left eye twitched occasionally. And the odd time I will get twitching in my left shoulder, arm or leg. But mostly it's right side.
3) breathing in cigarette smoke causes the twitches to happen. Every time. I have family who smoke and as soon as they light up, so does my twitching. Mainly my elbow or shoulder.

I am so scared I might have this.
Thank you.

 

[Nikki J]

You need to go see a doctor. Only a doctor can say if you actually have hyperreflexia and clinical weakness. You talk about a lot of feelings which is not how ALS starts so even if you have those the odds are high it is something else

Since you have been dieting they will probably want to check some blood work. You may have anemia, electrolyte imbalance or vitamin deficiencies.

Please call for an appointment Let us know what your doctor says

 

[cumber]

Thank you for your quick reply. Yes, I am booking an appt to see a clinic doctor (I live in Ontario, Canada and have been waiting 5 years for a family doc).
I am just wondering what you mean by "feelings"? I feel like all of this points towards ALS. Especially the right side weakness.
As far as my diet, I have just cut out not-so-healthy stuff that I used to overindulge in, like delivery pizza, Wendy's, etc.

Thank you!

 

[Nikki J]

See how many times you used feel in your post. You feel stiff ,tired ,strain,weak,fatigued,burning.

 

[lgelb]

I do not know exactly how things work in Canada, but even without a family doc, seems like you could get a PA or NP to order basic labs, or have them done via urgent care.

What you have said, coupled with the reactivity to smoke, suggests a possible link to quantity and/or quantity of sleep, and allergies, of course. Adults can get new food allergies and it's possible that something "healthier" than fast food that you are now eating more of is a partial culprit. I would also make sure you are well supported on the couch, in your work chair, etc.

A rheumatological disorder is another possibility, as is a post-viral syndrome. But the good news is, you're in the wrong place here.

 

[ShiftKicker]

If you don't have a family doctor, there is a central phone line: # 811, and you can also access health information here: Health811

Not ideal, but it's what you've got. Unfortunately, you will have to jump through some hoops to get answers. You can start the process today by accessing the phone line or visiting the website. We can only provide you the most basic of info here, we're not a replacement for in-person care. Yep, waiting sucks, but there are definitely options. A nurse practitioner is another, excellent option.

Take care

 

[cumber]

I am sorry to revive this...
But Igelb , when you say "But the good news is, you're in the wrong place here." What points towards that?
I am weak on right side, I see muscle loss (I can even feel it when lifting arm), have constant twitches, localized to four places on my right side + hyper-reflexes. This could be rheumatological?
And by "burning pain" I don't mean actual burning - as it extremely fatigued feeling (in shoulders).
And all this started before the diet change (which has just been to cut out sodas and fast food). The smoke just seems to make the twitching worse.

Thank you.

 

[Marnes77]

Cumber - I hope you get a good result. I don't want to comment on whether or not you may have ALS. There are more knowledgable people on here than me. So I'll leave it to them.

What shocks me, and this is a bit of an aside, is how long and hard it is for people to get diagnosed overseas.

I personally knew my partner had ALS in late December 2022. The signs were too obvious. I first posted on here in a total spin, hoping against hope it was something else. But knew deep down. He was diagnosed the following January 12th, just 20 minutes into a clinical examination. I did a bit of work to expedite that appointment. But the diagnostic journey in Ireland still seems so much quicker than elsewhere. The main ALS clinic here prides itself on quick turnaround as they understand the unbearable anxiety fear of ALS can induce.

I am so sorry that journey is much longer and more torturous elsewhere. And for the digression also.

Good luck Cumber. I pray you don't have it.

Marnes

 

[lgelb]

Yes, it could be rheum, post-viral, allergic reaction, what have you. We have laid out why your account is not ringing alarm bells. We are not going to list all the alarm bells you could have presented.

ALS does not present with a "fatigued feeling" bilaterally in shoulders, elbows, constant twitches in 4 places, I can't comment on any muscle loss without knowing if it's truly clinical atrophy, nor do I have your food diary. Obviously, anyone reading here would suggest that you stay away from secondhand smoke just on grounds of general health (and some adults do become more sensitive to a variety of environmental fumes as they age), let alone in re twitching.

This is my opinion. ShiftKicker gave you Canada-specific info for getting care. Not sure what more we can do here.

 

[cumber]

Marnes77 : I am so sorry about your husband's diagnosis. I wish you the best.

lgelb : I didn't mean bilaterally. The weakness and twitching is on my right side (hand, tricep, elbow, shoulder, calf, foot). Thank you for your response.

 

[lgelb]

Please look at someone's profile under their username. Marnes lost her partner to ALS.

You mentioned the left side as well as the right in your first post. That was the basis for "bilaterally."

Googling symptoms is a fool's errand. Don't waste your time.

Closing this thread so you can focus on accessing care. Even telehealth might be helpful in terms of narrowing the field of possibilities, while you await an in-person appointment.