katiejasper
Member
- Joined
- Jan 22, 2012
- Messages
- 14
- Country
- CA
- State
- BC
- City
- sechelt
Hi everyone
I posted about 2 months ago with strange symptoms. The feedback I got was that it didn't sound like ALS at all, but I have progressed more and need some advice.
I am a 32 year old female with very strange symptoms for the last 2.5 months. I have an almost 3 year old and a 4 month old, so life has been pretty busy the last few months.
A week before christmas my left thumb began twitching. Figured it was from computer use (I'm a designer) or from holding my colicky baby for hours a day. Then after a few glasses of champagne on New Years Eve, I woke up New Years day achy from head to toe, with twitching all over and nauseous. Felt like the worst flu I've ever had. This lasted weeks with a trip to the hospital after 5 days. They diagnosed me with "exhaustion" and dehydration pumped me full of fluids. Did some blood tests and told me to get some rest and eat. Symptoms just kept getting worse and was very tired and achy. My left thumb and right quad began feeling weak and the twitching continued on those areas as well as all over. Legs, arms and even back. I was hopeful that it was just BFS and a bad flu. A trip to the doctor for more blood work. All seemed ok. She tested for calcium, mag, thyroid, b12, CRP etc...did a quick neuro test etc.
Another trip to the doctor as my right calf appeared smaller than the left. I brought up my concern with ALS and she said it's very rare and i'm too young, but referred me to a MS neuro.
2 weeks ago I had my neuro apt. She did strength test etc. I described the symptoms, told her that my thumb was awkward and weak and had been twitching 2 months, and that the calf was smaller than the other. The right knee has been painful and both knees are all bony and joints are popping. She said not to worry about that or about the twitching. She did measurements of the calfs and said that that was a concern. I showed her my forearms which appear bonier than usual (when I flex my hands down, there is an indentation on both arms). She didnt seem concerned. She concluded that she was not worried about MS (no vision problems) or ALS (she said too young) but has referred me for an EMG. She didn't seemed at all concerned with my symtoms and said to just keep eating and exercising as much as possible.
Since the neuro apt I have had a hard time swallowing my spit on and off, it seems like my throat is closing, and the weakness in my knees and legs hasn't gotten any better. though some days are better than others though. Mornings I'm more stiff and limp more. I am still able to go for slow walks with my sons, but have a bit of an awkward walk because of the pains in my knees. My hands seem awkward sometimes like it's hard to sign my name and turn knobs etc... but this again, is on and off. I have to wait another 8 week for the EMG apt.
After MUCH much research, in hopes of finding an answer to my symptoms, I keep winding back in the ALS boat. I have lost weight though I have tried to up my caloric intake. People keep commenting on how I'm getting skinny. My hands are bonier than they were and the veins are protruding more.
Now my right shoulder is aching. From what I've read about ALS, my symtoms aren't exactly typical, but a lot of cases aren't. It seems it usually starts in one location and goes from there. Mine started as a twitching weak thumb and opposite leg, forearms and now shoulder? I am still strong. I went to the gym twice last week and lifted weights, but I feel weak if that makes any sense.
I am so worried and am trying to spend as much time with my little boys as I can't get ALS out of my head. I have convinced myself I have it and I know I need to just let the doctors do their jobs. I know I shouldnt self diagnose but Im just trying to be proactive. If anyone has any insight in to what this could be I would be very grateful.
Thank you kindly!
I posted about 2 months ago with strange symptoms. The feedback I got was that it didn't sound like ALS at all, but I have progressed more and need some advice.
I am a 32 year old female with very strange symptoms for the last 2.5 months. I have an almost 3 year old and a 4 month old, so life has been pretty busy the last few months.
A week before christmas my left thumb began twitching. Figured it was from computer use (I'm a designer) or from holding my colicky baby for hours a day. Then after a few glasses of champagne on New Years Eve, I woke up New Years day achy from head to toe, with twitching all over and nauseous. Felt like the worst flu I've ever had. This lasted weeks with a trip to the hospital after 5 days. They diagnosed me with "exhaustion" and dehydration pumped me full of fluids. Did some blood tests and told me to get some rest and eat. Symptoms just kept getting worse and was very tired and achy. My left thumb and right quad began feeling weak and the twitching continued on those areas as well as all over. Legs, arms and even back. I was hopeful that it was just BFS and a bad flu. A trip to the doctor for more blood work. All seemed ok. She tested for calcium, mag, thyroid, b12, CRP etc...did a quick neuro test etc.
Another trip to the doctor as my right calf appeared smaller than the left. I brought up my concern with ALS and she said it's very rare and i'm too young, but referred me to a MS neuro.
2 weeks ago I had my neuro apt. She did strength test etc. I described the symptoms, told her that my thumb was awkward and weak and had been twitching 2 months, and that the calf was smaller than the other. The right knee has been painful and both knees are all bony and joints are popping. She said not to worry about that or about the twitching. She did measurements of the calfs and said that that was a concern. I showed her my forearms which appear bonier than usual (when I flex my hands down, there is an indentation on both arms). She didnt seem concerned. She concluded that she was not worried about MS (no vision problems) or ALS (she said too young) but has referred me for an EMG. She didn't seemed at all concerned with my symtoms and said to just keep eating and exercising as much as possible.
Since the neuro apt I have had a hard time swallowing my spit on and off, it seems like my throat is closing, and the weakness in my knees and legs hasn't gotten any better. though some days are better than others though. Mornings I'm more stiff and limp more. I am still able to go for slow walks with my sons, but have a bit of an awkward walk because of the pains in my knees. My hands seem awkward sometimes like it's hard to sign my name and turn knobs etc... but this again, is on and off. I have to wait another 8 week for the EMG apt.
After MUCH much research, in hopes of finding an answer to my symptoms, I keep winding back in the ALS boat. I have lost weight though I have tried to up my caloric intake. People keep commenting on how I'm getting skinny. My hands are bonier than they were and the veins are protruding more.
Now my right shoulder is aching. From what I've read about ALS, my symtoms aren't exactly typical, but a lot of cases aren't. It seems it usually starts in one location and goes from there. Mine started as a twitching weak thumb and opposite leg, forearms and now shoulder? I am still strong. I went to the gym twice last week and lifted weights, but I feel weak if that makes any sense.
I am so worried and am trying to spend as much time with my little boys as I can't get ALS out of my head. I have convinced myself I have it and I know I need to just let the doctors do their jobs. I know I shouldnt self diagnose but Im just trying to be proactive. If anyone has any insight in to what this could be I would be very grateful.
Thank you kindly!