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jwrestler13

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Sep 5, 2014
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Reason
Learn about ALS
Country
US
State
California
City
Yuba City
Hello all, I'll try to make this short because I know how busy you are all! I am a 20 year old male college student who recently has been feeling "off". That's the best way to put it, about a month ago I started having really bad heart palpitations and shortness of breath accompanied with dizziness/vertigo. Scared me bad so I went to the doc and she gave me anti-anxiety meds, which i don't think is right. but regardless i started taking them twice a day, well... It took my palps away and I felt better in that sense, but about a week ago I noticed my hands just feel like they arent working right. I can still write and start my car and turn my doorknob and all of that, but I just feel like my fingers aren't working like I want them to. I have always been extremely active my whole life, and last year I was a college athlete. So, I've lived a relatively healthy lifestyle. Also, I noticed that when I walk around my college campus (even short distances) my legs start feeling sore/tired almost like if i had worked out the day before , but I havent! Also, my grip just feels weak, it feels like when i make a fist it just isn't as tight as it used to be. I can still type decently fast and whatnot, but it's starting to make me worry. Hope someday can give me some insight on this! I definitely am not jumping to conclusions, but with all this attention being brought to ALS I couldn't help but notice these things. Also, sometimes I get shooting pains down my arms, but I'm not sure if thats related or not. Any information would be nice! Thanks all!

-Jeff
 
Hi -- ALS/MND is a scary disease to consider/fear. We empathize. This note is not to deter you from your investigations, but just so thoughts on how we can help each other ...


Here are some first considerations that may help:

#1 - Read the STICKIES at the top of this forum. Many questions are answered there. 99% of new questions are addressed.


#2 We are not doctors or diagnosticians, but people who are dying from or caring for people with ALS. Some of us have to type with one hand, one finger, via dictation, or even with our eyes, so reading/replying to the anxiety-ridden can be very tiring.


#3 if you think you have a motor neuron issue, see your Primary Care Provider and get a referral to a motor neuron qualified neuro, note: most are NOT ALS/MND (Motor Neuron Disease) experienced!


#4 an EMG, properly done, is the gold standard test for ALS. But also, an abnormal EMG can indicate HUNDREDS of other, non-fatal, diseases. So listen to your doctor.


#5 ALS does NOT present with pain, cramps, or fatigue. In ALS, you feel perfectly normal but your muscles simply won't work. Typically, the first sign of ALS is a foot or a hand that inexplicably just won't lift up. It doesn't hurt or feel weak, it just is limp. That is paralysis.


#6 ALS is about failing, not feeling, so forget the "feeling" symptoms


#7 If your main issue is twitching go to the bfs forum. If you have weird neuro symptoms try neurotalk. There are also forums for health anxiety.


#8 Your doctor is wise to look at other diseases. ALS is rare. In order for it to be ALS, it has to be nothing else.


#9 Many of us cough/gag/choke and/or can no longer speak. It is difficult to have anxious people constantly chasing this disease, when we can't escape it. There seems to be this cult of ALS wannabees/groupies. You don't want to fall into that bucket do you?


#10 Anxiety can be a real problem that can endanger your physical health. It is what leads many folks here to this forum -- it is a self-fueling fire. Try to avoid using google and/or this forum if you can -- if you cannot stay away and off this forum it should tell you something important!


Lastly, if you are still interested, go to alsa dot org or mda dot org ...


We sincerely hope you do not need to be here! But find out first. If you do need to be here let me say "Welcome, sorry you are here!"


-----
Max - Monday, August 18, 2014 12:03:01 PM
-----
onset 9/2010, diagnosed with ALS by Stanley Appel 8/29/2013
It Is What It Is ...

.
 
Any advice? Just really concerned
 
Read #1 in Max's post above.

If that leads you to something you are experiencing, come back and ask.
 
I'm just worried, i feel like things are getting harder to do, but not impossible. I can still walk and jump and move firewood and write. But it feels like I do it slower now than before. Also, I feel like my left calf is smaller than my right. It's all just scaring me, and I'm just worried. All the muscles in my body are so sore.
 
Sore ain't ALS. It's sore.
Most of us would kill our mothers to be able to "walk, run and move firewood".

Go read the Stickie as already suggested, and don't post again until you do. You will not find yourself there but it might put your mind at ease.
After that, read Max's post in its entirety.
 
Max is right on! Everyone having anxiety over this disease should read that post. Excellent, it should become one of the stickies. But then it probably wouldn't get read. It seems all the "do I haves" or "wannabes" don't read those stickies! jwfestler13, you are worrying yourself into these symptoms, in my humble opinion. It's called being Psychosomatic. There's no soreness in ALS. And I wouldn't say moving slows down in ALS, it just stops functioning. You are functioning. You walk, jump, carry firewood, and write. Come on, get on with your young life! Worry gets you nowhere!
 
Thanks for all the replies guys, I'm certainly not going to argue your opinion! I know little to nothing about this disease, google just worried me. My muscles fatigue very quickly and I thought that was a symptom? I guess not, just wanted to make sure.
 
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