Weakness in right leg

[Atsugi]

You're good! Well, you've got some weakness there, but at least it's not ALS.

Doctors are really very smart, Mom. (My wife was a GP for 20 years.) But one of the things that they DON'T do very well at all is explain their thinking. I'm sure your doc ran through a thousand thoughts quickly before reaching that conclusion, but it would have been useless to try to explain it all to someone who didn't pass medical school. So they just don't bother telling us much at all.

I can give it a guess, though. In order to have ALS, both UMN and LMN must be involved. An EMG tests for LMN, but the only way to check for UMN involvement is with a clinical hands-on exam. So I'm guessing he observed you for a bit, maybe even asked you to move your limbs, and that told him that you don't have UMN problems--so it isn't ALS.

I must apologize because I don't know your case, and the preceding paragraph is just a guess. I have no idea what your doctor did or saw in the office today.

Anyway, congratulations. I'm relieved. I wish you good luck on finding and fixing that weakness.

 

[Concernedmom27]

Thank you so much for a lengthy respose. He actually said no ALS before even examining me. I am guessing because of my age. Yet my legs looked like they were trying to kick a football when he tested the reflexes and my wrist and right leg showed weakness. So I am still scared and hope that he is right. I have read through so many stories on here and it seems as if it takes awhile to diagnose as is. I can feel myself getting depressed cause of all of this and am unsure what to do, I have never experienced such fear. My right leg is constantly twitching. I feel like it starts with this mild weakness and then gets worse.

 

[Atsugi]

Your post reminded me of a good memory, Mom. My wife used to go into the waiting room and call the patient's name. She would see how they reacted, stood up, navigated toward the room, and walked into the exam room. She said she often had the person diagnosed before even introducing herself.

Good luck.

 

[Concernedmom27]

Thank you for trying to make me feel better. My leg is getting worse. Still weak and small cramps and spasms constantely since last night. I am not really sure what to do or where to go next and this is greatly affecting my day. I have read so many things that it starts just like this and others say no. I am so confused and trying hard to be okay but am not.

 

[Concernedmom27]

I have been avoiding writing but am upset and waiting for a neuro appt. my right leg is still having spasms and now is that foot and ankle is smaller than my left. It also is weaker than my left as noted by my Dr but so far am still able to use it, just not as well as my left. I guess my question is, does this sound like als? Does the weakness than atrophy and spasms happen within a two month span? Or maybe longer cause I possible ignored the spasms. Everything I read on here states that weakness is forst, but the not able to work weakness. From what I have read other places it states just weaker, which I am experiencing. I don't want to be a pain but want the advice from knowledgable people on this site. Thanks for your time.

 

[Lixen]

You do not describe symptoms typical of ALS that I'm aware of. The rapid advancement of symptoms is also not how ALS works. *Weakness & twitching are very common and non specific - we don't fear a brain tumor every time we experience a headache but if you google 'headache' it won't be long before you stumble upon 'brain tumor' as a common cause. Despite the infinite wisdom of Google MD, chances are the headache is *just* a headache.

Compression of the cervical or lower spine can cause your symptoms in one or both legs/arms, as can certain repetitive movements like bending, lifting, setting, etc. Dehydration & vitamin deficiencies can contribute as well as certain medications and about 15000 other non-fatal, medical conditions. Anxiety caused by a change in lifestyle (job, children, move, divorce, death, marriage, etc) is also very real and can cause our bodies to react in ways that creates even further anxiety. I'm not a medical professional but I'd say me winning the lottery is greater the likelihood of you having ALS. *Take care & good luck with your neuro visit. ‎

 

[Concernedmom27]

I hope you are right. My right foot, where I have clinical weakness and twitching is a lot thinner than my left. You can see all the bones clearly. My ankle as well. I wasn't sure if this usually happens. I also have brisk leg reflexes. I am really scared and I guess have to try and deal while I wait to see what this is. I wanted to know that if I have some weakness and atrophy would I be walking around normally? It is difficult, but I do not limp. Any feedback would be appreciated.

 

[affected]

concerned you have posted 13 times and there have been 9 separate answers here from a range of very knowledgable people - you are not presenting with ALS symptoms.

You do have something going on, please work with your doctors, we can't add anything more I'm afraid. All the best, they will find and treat whatever is going on.

 

[Concernedmom27]

Ok so I know I have been written off on here but I have no support system and am very scared at the moment. My GP agrees that my right foot has small muscle wasting. This is what I was trying to describe before and I was calling them indentations. Basically looks as if I have zero muscle on my foot, which I guess I don't. My ankle now hurts and it is hard to walk. This is all after my foot/leg feeling weak for awhile now. The tiny spasms in that leg are non stop 24/7. So now I have confirmed weakness, small muscle atrophy in same foot and spasms in same leg that have not stopped for the past month. Wouldn't a person that has an atrophied foot have ankle pain? I have to limp at this point. No I have not ever hurt my ankle. Any insight or kind words would be helpful. I have no one to talk to and am very scared.

 

[Atsugi]

That pissed me off. You have NOT been written off here! A lot of people gave you lots of consideration and gave you knowledge answers.

Work with your doctors. Good luck.

 

[Concernedmom27]

I am sorry, didn't mean to piss you off. I guess I worded that wrong. What I meant was that I feel like even though my symptoms are pretty scary and sound like als to me, I am not understanding how it doesn't point to als. Seems with all this going on, I can't even word things without upsetting someone. I apologize, truly. The muscle wasting on my foot has scared me and yes, I will continue to work with my Dr.s of course. I am a single mom and am really alone, no close family.....just wanted some advice on the newer updates.

 

[Atsugi]

Give me a few minutes.

 

[Atsugi]

OK, I reread every word in this thread. Your GP said no ALS. Your age is on the young side, but not impossible. Your description of getting atrophy in less than a month is weird. You shouldn’t try to measure yourself, it doesn’t work. The spasms and twitches could be anything at all. Even the hyperreflexia doesn’t concern me because normal people can have that.

Again, I’m totally unqualified and ignorant of medicine. These are just my thoughts.

BillH, who has a lot of varied ALS experiences and has lost a loved one (at least one) to genetic ALS, gave a really, really well-informed and compassionate advice that you should reread.

Lixen gives some alternatives to consider. There is definitely hope that this not ALS.

Affected lost her husband last year and she’s really well informed. She doesn’t seem concerned that you might have ALS. That’s a good sign.

MedStudent is new. I don’t know them. As a caregiver, they should have a pretty good view of ALS.

Your leg weakness (I don’t understand what “heaviness” might mean.) and arm weakness are real problems, but the odds are they are not ALS. Could be several very common reasons for that weakness.

Of course, the neurologist will be the big thing. Looking forward to that result.

But I’m surprised to read very little about your GP appointment. Didn’t sound like much of a work up. Could be because your GP saw you and instantly knew that ALS wasn’t on the table (great!) or perhaps you need to see another GP while you’re waiting for the neuro appointment.

Considering your emotional state (which is very understandable), I would recommend seeing some gray haired GP medical doctor tomorrow and ask them for their opinion vis a vis ALS.

 

[Concernedmom27]

Thank you so much for your thourough answer. I think I may have confused you a little. The first GP appt, he really didn't take the time to examine me, I went back this week and had he really examine me and that is when he agreed that all my foot muscles are gone. What worried me is that it is the same leg I have been having weakness and twitching in. Now at this point my ankle actually hurts and I know that points away from ALS but I have no muscle in my foot so maybe that is why? I haven't measured myself, this was done at the GPs office. I appreciate everyone's input. It has been difficult with all this and not having anyone to talk to. I have been struggling. And with the gp confirming the muscles in my foot gone, it scares me. I will continue on my path with the Drs but I was hoping that other people had some positive words for me. I guess it is a wait a see....

 

[affected]

Hon I can give you some positive words indeed - this just does not sound like ALS.

I'm so sorry you are going through this - you have had us reading every word you have over and again, answering thoroughly, some really well thought out answers here in this thread!

We know ALS, we are not diagnosing you, but you are asking and every single person has said it does not sound like ALS. That is the most positive thing you can be told.

I'm so sorry you are alone in this. We are here to support PALS and CALS.

Come back once you have been to a neurologist and have EMG results to discuss or to let us know something else has been diagnosed. There are health anxiety forums and general health forums where you can receive support in the meantime. We have to stay really focused here on where our support time can be divided out.