nicty
New member
- Joined
- Oct 4, 2007
- Messages
- 2
- Reason
- Learn about ALS
- Country
- CA
- State
- ontario
- City
- guelph
Hi there. It has been a very long time since l last posted, but I am a regular visitor and keep tabs on many of you, always hoping and praying for any good news. First let me give you an update. I am 41 yrs old and over the past two years my wrists have been getting progressively more painful, especially when I put weight on them. Additionally, I have been having wide-spread muscle twitching for about 2 years. About one year ago my Dr. referred me to a physical therapist who observed that I had mild atrophy in both hands especially the thenar area. Well, needless to say that when I Googled "hand atrophy" I found ALS and totally freaked out - this is when I first posted. Eventually I went back to my GP who referred me to a neurologist.
This guy was not an ALS specialist, but he was extremely thorough and works at a teaching/research hospital. He agreed with the PT that I may have some atrophy, but he said it is very difficult to tell when he's never seen me before. I had an MRI, tons of blood work including heavy metals and an NCV/EMG in March 2007. All came back normal - I was very relieved (and thankful!) as you can imagine. He actually said, "The good news is, you don't have ALS and you don't need to follow-up any further."
Since that time, however, my right hand seems to have developed more atrophy in the thenar area and between the index finger and thumb. It is slightly weak and painful in the lower thumb joint especially when I use it a lot. My wrists are more painful than ever (only when weight bearing) and I still have occasional twitching throughout my body. I do have to admit that over the past year I have been exercising my hands/wrists quite vigorously but over the past few months I have cut way back. (Maybe I have damaged my hands?). Also, the arch in my right foot has dropped and the big toe on my right foot is not really weak, but it does bend in all directions (weird!).
I just don't know where to go from here. I know if it is ALS I will eventually find out and I can worry about it then. However, I have two small children and there are times when I look at my hands and get so very anxious and scared. My husband is very supportive, but he simply refuses to acknowledge any change in the appearance of my hands. He keeps reminding me that I'm not getting any younger (so very true!).
I don't even know if it's worth trying to go for a follow-up with anyone. I guess I just wait and see?
Thanks for listening.
Nic
This guy was not an ALS specialist, but he was extremely thorough and works at a teaching/research hospital. He agreed with the PT that I may have some atrophy, but he said it is very difficult to tell when he's never seen me before. I had an MRI, tons of blood work including heavy metals and an NCV/EMG in March 2007. All came back normal - I was very relieved (and thankful!) as you can imagine. He actually said, "The good news is, you don't have ALS and you don't need to follow-up any further."
Since that time, however, my right hand seems to have developed more atrophy in the thenar area and between the index finger and thumb. It is slightly weak and painful in the lower thumb joint especially when I use it a lot. My wrists are more painful than ever (only when weight bearing) and I still have occasional twitching throughout my body. I do have to admit that over the past year I have been exercising my hands/wrists quite vigorously but over the past few months I have cut way back. (Maybe I have damaged my hands?). Also, the arch in my right foot has dropped and the big toe on my right foot is not really weak, but it does bend in all directions (weird!).
I just don't know where to go from here. I know if it is ALS I will eventually find out and I can worry about it then. However, I have two small children and there are times when I look at my hands and get so very anxious and scared. My husband is very supportive, but he simply refuses to acknowledge any change in the appearance of my hands. He keeps reminding me that I'm not getting any younger (so very true!).
I don't even know if it's worth trying to go for a follow-up with anyone. I guess I just wait and see?
Thanks for listening.
Nic