oliviais900
New member
- Joined
- Apr 25, 2017
- Messages
- 4
- Reason
- Learn about ALS
- Country
- Uni
- State
- Wisconsin
- City
- Madison
Hello, first I want to say that I feel bad posting on this website with many people who are affected by ALS, but my symptoms seem concerning. I would go to my GP, however, I am 17 and my parents will not take me.
I know 17 is young for ALS or another type of issue, and I am also a female, but it is certainly possible.
I do have an anxiety disorder, but some of these symptoms do not seem like they could be affected by it.
It started a few months ago, with symptoms that are not really ALS-related. First, my eye visibly twitched all the time, and then that went away, and my thumb in my right arm began to jerk constantly. That too went away for a few days, but for the last two months I constantly twitch visibly all over my body (I know this sounds like BFS and this point)
I started to get very concerned about a month ago when I could literally not move the thumb in my left hand without it severely cramping and it was completely stiff. This went away after a week, and for a while, I calmed down. However now, there is not pain but my whole left arm has been weak in the last week. Today I had gym and was unable to do the five-pound lifting in my arm for more than 10 reps. I had difficulty in both arms but my left arm literally did not want to move, I had to swing my body to move it. My left arm still feels crampy from this. Just a few minutes ago, I was dumping out my full coffee pot with my left arm to test it out, and my arm completely shook, but my right arm was fine. I also am always dropping things in this arm. This arm is also the worst place where my twitching occurs, especially after doing something with it, in my triceps and biceps. In the mirror when I look at it, my left bicep is far smaller than my right (I am right-handed though) Even my friends and family agree it is smaller, but not by that much. Flexing this muscle to show people is even difficult, as clenching my arm feels strange. If this was perceived weakness, I do not know why I am having trouble lifting weights, and even typing this full thing. My fingers have so much trouble moving to type in the left hand. Another issue that I am having is that my mouth is always pooling with saliva now, although I can swallow it. I seem to be tripping up on words a lot too, and choking on food if I don't drink enough. I have had throat congestion and a raspy voice for a while. Once again, parents not concerned.
This part is going to sound completely stupid, but I resorted to checking my reflexes. When I tap my knee jerk reflex spot, my legs violently kick out very far and very fast. I cannot check other reflexes, and yes I know I am not a doctor.
Overall, my left arm problems and twitching in that arm concerns me a great deal. My parents do not find this issue worth seeing the doctor, but I am very scared. Weakness, twitching worse at night and with activity in left arm and buttocks, calves, thighs, chin, eyes, and pretty much everywhere else.
Thank you so much whoever is able to respond with advice. Trust me, I wish I could just see my GP, I have a feeling they would be dismissive as well. I have spent a considerable amount of time on this forum, and found many diagnosed people that experienced twitching a lot made worse when laying down all over and in the affected arm (which I have) and weakness. Is this likely ALS, I know it is unlikely at my age but clearly possible. I am not tired or anything else. Another thing, if I bend my pinky my ring finger goes with it on the left hand. I feel like my hand cannot move those fingers at all. Is this in my head?
I know 17 is young for ALS or another type of issue, and I am also a female, but it is certainly possible.
I do have an anxiety disorder, but some of these symptoms do not seem like they could be affected by it.
It started a few months ago, with symptoms that are not really ALS-related. First, my eye visibly twitched all the time, and then that went away, and my thumb in my right arm began to jerk constantly. That too went away for a few days, but for the last two months I constantly twitch visibly all over my body (I know this sounds like BFS and this point)
I started to get very concerned about a month ago when I could literally not move the thumb in my left hand without it severely cramping and it was completely stiff. This went away after a week, and for a while, I calmed down. However now, there is not pain but my whole left arm has been weak in the last week. Today I had gym and was unable to do the five-pound lifting in my arm for more than 10 reps. I had difficulty in both arms but my left arm literally did not want to move, I had to swing my body to move it. My left arm still feels crampy from this. Just a few minutes ago, I was dumping out my full coffee pot with my left arm to test it out, and my arm completely shook, but my right arm was fine. I also am always dropping things in this arm. This arm is also the worst place where my twitching occurs, especially after doing something with it, in my triceps and biceps. In the mirror when I look at it, my left bicep is far smaller than my right (I am right-handed though) Even my friends and family agree it is smaller, but not by that much. Flexing this muscle to show people is even difficult, as clenching my arm feels strange. If this was perceived weakness, I do not know why I am having trouble lifting weights, and even typing this full thing. My fingers have so much trouble moving to type in the left hand. Another issue that I am having is that my mouth is always pooling with saliva now, although I can swallow it. I seem to be tripping up on words a lot too, and choking on food if I don't drink enough. I have had throat congestion and a raspy voice for a while. Once again, parents not concerned.
This part is going to sound completely stupid, but I resorted to checking my reflexes. When I tap my knee jerk reflex spot, my legs violently kick out very far and very fast. I cannot check other reflexes, and yes I know I am not a doctor.
Overall, my left arm problems and twitching in that arm concerns me a great deal. My parents do not find this issue worth seeing the doctor, but I am very scared. Weakness, twitching worse at night and with activity in left arm and buttocks, calves, thighs, chin, eyes, and pretty much everywhere else.
Thank you so much whoever is able to respond with advice. Trust me, I wish I could just see my GP, I have a feeling they would be dismissive as well. I have spent a considerable amount of time on this forum, and found many diagnosed people that experienced twitching a lot made worse when laying down all over and in the affected arm (which I have) and weakness. Is this likely ALS, I know it is unlikely at my age but clearly possible. I am not tired or anything else. Another thing, if I bend my pinky my ring finger goes with it on the left hand. I feel like my hand cannot move those fingers at all. Is this in my head?
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