I will try to condense this as much as possible. My husband is 54 years old. Approximately 3 years ago his right calf- gastrocnemius muscle stop working. He did wake up at night with severe cramping prior to this. His muscles had atrophied, and he could no longer stand on his toes-right leg only and no pain. He went to his primary care doctor who sent him to a neurologist who performed an EMG which was abnormal and showed issues with the nerves related to L5 and S1. Back to the primary care who ordered an MRI which showed everything was OK and then to an orthopedist who prescribed physical therapy. They isolated the muscle to try to build it back up with no success. They concluded it was a fluke and not to worry it wouldn't progress...
Last summer, approximately 2 years after the right calf stopped working, his left calf has now stopped working. He can no longer stand on his toes and feels like he is walking in sand. He went back to the neurologist, and he performed another EMG. It was abnormal and showed issues not only in the lower extremities but in his upper back and biceps as well. I wish I had the results to share and will try to get them and post them. He was a bit upset that my husband wasn't referred back to him 2 years ago when they couldn't find any answers.
He has since had another MRI which showed severe spinal stenosis in L5. A muscle biopsy which had no definitive findings. A spinal tap which came back normal. As well as many blood test for a variety of illnesses.
He was referred to Duke neurosurgery. The neurosurgeon said while there is severe stenosis in L5 he doesn't have any symptoms that correlate with that issue. He has no pain, and the nerves effected in his calf are not the ones that relate to L5. He asked questions that led me to think he was considering ALS, especially dealing with twitching. He hasn't had any twitching that he can recall.
He has another MRI at the end of March which will include his brain, cervical and thoracic area. He has and appointment with a Duke neurologist in June and another EMG scheduled at the same time. Hopefully we will know more after these appointments, and I feel hopeful they are determined to figure out what is going on.
I am just curious as to your thoughts on his symptoms related to ALS.
Last summer, approximately 2 years after the right calf stopped working, his left calf has now stopped working. He can no longer stand on his toes and feels like he is walking in sand. He went back to the neurologist, and he performed another EMG. It was abnormal and showed issues not only in the lower extremities but in his upper back and biceps as well. I wish I had the results to share and will try to get them and post them. He was a bit upset that my husband wasn't referred back to him 2 years ago when they couldn't find any answers.
He has since had another MRI which showed severe spinal stenosis in L5. A muscle biopsy which had no definitive findings. A spinal tap which came back normal. As well as many blood test for a variety of illnesses.
He was referred to Duke neurosurgery. The neurosurgeon said while there is severe stenosis in L5 he doesn't have any symptoms that correlate with that issue. He has no pain, and the nerves effected in his calf are not the ones that relate to L5. He asked questions that led me to think he was considering ALS, especially dealing with twitching. He hasn't had any twitching that he can recall.
He has another MRI at the end of March which will include his brain, cervical and thoracic area. He has and appointment with a Duke neurologist in June and another EMG scheduled at the same time. Hopefully we will know more after these appointments, and I feel hopeful they are determined to figure out what is going on.
I am just curious as to your thoughts on his symptoms related to ALS.
