Advice Needed

[slimva]

I've been browsing the board for over a month ago, and I was hoping I would resist the urge to post here, but I guess my symptoms and fears have gotten the best of me.

In mid-late May, I started experiencing tingling sensations in my fingers and my toes, mostly my fingers. I saw my GP in early June, everything came back normal, no B-12 issues and no lyme disease. A week later I saw a neurologist, we went through the strength and balance tests and she said I was fine. She did notice I had hypereflexia in one of my legs, but wasn't concerned with it. She told me to put ALS out of my mind. The following week (2nd week of June) I had an MRI, everything was good.

Since then, I've experienced a weird, annoying tingling and some what painful sensation in my triceps, right around the elbow area (especially my left arm). It's at it's worse when I'm at work or if I push up on my arm. At times my fingers feel kind of stiff, but no clumsiness or weakness. Starting last week, I've experienced a couple of fasiculations on my arm around the elbow area and today on my hand near the wrist. I have an EMG scheduled next week, I'm just anxious. I've read all the stickies and I understand typically tingling is not a symptom, but by doing a search in the archives, there have been people who were diagnosed with ALS and it began with tingling and numbness in their hands and feet. When I wake up in the morning or from a nap, usually there is tingling, and it's usually in my left hand.

Any feedback would be appreciated

 

[JustTrying]

Why are you worried if you have no weakness at all?

 

[slimva]

I'm worried because there are instances in which tingling in the hands and arms have been a precursor to ALS. On top of that, I've had fasiculations start in my arm and hand as well. Trust me, I hope i'm being paranoid, I'm just seeking some advice before I get my EMG.

 

[Ms. Pie]

Sounds like carpel tunnel or nerve entrapment. Not ALS. Listen to your Doctor.

 

[slimva]

Ms Pie. I was thinking the same thing, I just can't find any correlation between the disorders you mentioned and fasiculatons

 

[Ms. Pie]

Facsiculations are quite common in everyone. There aren't typically tingling symptoms with ALS.

 

[JustTrying]

Without weakness that interferes with daily tasks my mind wouldn't even go to ALS

 

[Ms. Pie]

Me too. Even with weakness I didn't think ALS. Tingling isn't a symptom. You have no symptoms that are specifically ALS.

 

[slimva]

Thank you for the replies. I have another question, I was looking at some other websites, (bad idea, I know), mainly patients like me and als.org, and I noticed there seems to be a fair amount of posters who strongly believe tingling (especially in hands and feet) can be and is a good precursor to an ALS diagnosis. Looking at this site and the threads that go back 5-7 years, that is a theory that is normally not supported. Any thoughts on why there is such a difference in opinion between this site and the other two?

 

[slimva]

Any feedback on my previous question? Thanks in advance

 

[ottawa girl]

No idea why.

I've never had tingling.

 

[Nighthawk]

Any feedback on my previous question? Thanks in advance

You should ask these questions at the aforementioned Forums on your post.

 

[slimva]

Carlos, I did, and unlike this board, you really don't get a reply. I have an EMG scheduled for Monday, what should I expect, is there pain involved or just mild discomfort? Do you get the results right away, or is there a wait like an MRI?

 

[Nighthawk]

MRI results, unlike should be out the same day.
Pain is not a sign of the way ALS manifests itself nor tingling.

I've seen tingling but mainly for Peripheral Neuropathy.

Regards,

 

[ottawa girl]

Slimva,

The EMG is no picnic, but tolerable. Mine was performed by my neurologist - he gave me the results then & there. I think, if it's done by a technician, the results are transmitted to your neuro.