veryworried12
New member
- Joined
- Jul 27, 2015
- Messages
- 2
- Reason
- Learn about ALS
- Country
- US
- State
- WA
- City
- Seattle
I am a 38-year old female. Over the past couple months, I’ve had some concerning symptoms and am hoping some of you can shed some light on whether they may be indicative of ALS. My right forearm and bicep feel very week and are easily fatigued and often sore as if I’ve done an intense workout, even though I haven’t. I have not noticed any loss of strength or dexterity, or any visible atrophy in my hand, but if I use my hand for repetitive motions, I feel my forearm becoming weak and shaky and it will often be sore for a couple of days afterward. Even holding my right arm on the steering wheel while driving or holding my e-reader with my right hand will cause my hand, wrist, forearm, and bicep to become weak and shaky. My right bicep has been twitching visibly for the last few weeks.
Also, things like reaching for something, twisting, or even stretching when I wake up in the morning will often cause a muscle in the area I’m stretching or twisting to cramp, then feel fatigued, and then be sore for a couple of days afterward as if I’ve pulled a muscle. I pretty much always have muscles that feel fatigued or stiff with no explanation. Besides my right arm, I’ve had muscle cramping, fatigue, and stiffness in my back (low and mid on the right side), my right shoulder, the back of my neck, my calves and ankles, and my hamstrings. Two or three times over the past couple of months, both of my hamstrings have been so stiff that I can’t walk normally for several days and have to use a heating pad, but I’ve never been able to come up with an explanation for it (no intense workout, new or different activity, etc.). Running up the stairs will make my leg muscles burn and I’ll be out of breath. None of this is typical, as I am very active and fit.
I will readily admit that I suffer from anxiety, and since I started becoming concerned about ALS, I have been hyperaware of these symptoms. However, I had the symptoms before ALS was on my radar, so I can’t chalk all of it up to anxiety.
I do have an appointment with a neurologist scheduled for two weeks from now. I was just hoping to put my mind at ease a bit during the wait. Please share any thoughts you may have.
Thanks in advance for reading this and I wish you all the best.
Also, things like reaching for something, twisting, or even stretching when I wake up in the morning will often cause a muscle in the area I’m stretching or twisting to cramp, then feel fatigued, and then be sore for a couple of days afterward as if I’ve pulled a muscle. I pretty much always have muscles that feel fatigued or stiff with no explanation. Besides my right arm, I’ve had muscle cramping, fatigue, and stiffness in my back (low and mid on the right side), my right shoulder, the back of my neck, my calves and ankles, and my hamstrings. Two or three times over the past couple of months, both of my hamstrings have been so stiff that I can’t walk normally for several days and have to use a heating pad, but I’ve never been able to come up with an explanation for it (no intense workout, new or different activity, etc.). Running up the stairs will make my leg muscles burn and I’ll be out of breath. None of this is typical, as I am very active and fit.
I will readily admit that I suffer from anxiety, and since I started becoming concerned about ALS, I have been hyperaware of these symptoms. However, I had the symptoms before ALS was on my radar, so I can’t chalk all of it up to anxiety.
I do have an appointment with a neurologist scheduled for two weeks from now. I was just hoping to put my mind at ease a bit during the wait. Please share any thoughts you may have.
Thanks in advance for reading this and I wish you all the best.