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Cop24/7

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Mar 27, 2014
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Learn about ALS
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US
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Ma
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Everett
Hello, I'm a 46 yr old male and for the past six months I've Ben struggling with the thoughts of als. To make a long story short in Jan. I both my arms from my elbow to my fingers went numb. I went to the hospital andthey admitted me for ppossible stroke. After an mfi with contrast and two ct scans the drs. Said all was normal. Shortly after I began twitching and did a stupid thing and googled twitching and also came up. I was then terrified so I went to see a neurologist who gave me a clinical exam and statd d no also but I have carpel tunnel. He scheduled an MRI of my cervical spine and an emg. My MRI showed multilevel severe spondolosis at c5,6,7. The emg showed carpel tunnel in RMS and an insipient neuropathy in my legs.there were no psw fribs or basics. The bothersome thing was that the emg portion was only on my right side as well as my c7 and l4 along with a thenar stick on my left hand. The Dr. Said I didn't have also and told me to use braces for the ct. The fact that I was basically tested on one side was bothering me so I made an apt with an als specialist who went over my emg and gave e a clinical exam and said I didn't have it and also emgs pick up early desease and most times one side is all that's necessary, he didn't even schedule a follow up with me. I felt pretty good about the visit but I noticed my left wrist armed smaller than the right like my wrist and my forearm were wasting I then went to the tufts medical ctr. here in Boston for a neuro visit about my ct. I saw an intern and she gave me a neuro exam and called her bos in because she was an intern I guess. So I'm sitting there in my johnny and she's explaining everything she did and her loss noticed that I was fasiculatingin my chest now the scary part starts. He left the room and brought in with him the also specialist to take a look at me. He stated that he didn't share the Dr.s opinion about the basics and gave me the most thourough, I believe , also work up I've ever gone through. I brought my reports from the emgs and MRIs and ct scans and he went over them. While doing my reflexes he noticed a brisk reflex on my left elbow, again the side that was not tested with the emg. I had no Hoffman's no Babinski no clones no jawjerkreflex no wiggly tongue or anything. He said iI have carpel tunnel and said the atrophy in my wrist and forearm is prob. due to carpel tunnel and I have no also today, was that a cya wink wink thing I don't know. He doesn't even want a follow up but referred me to a had surgeon for ct. The past few days my lips feel numb I feel as if I'm fumbling words and when I swallow I feel I have to do it a couple time to get food down. I'm really worried about bulbar at this point could there be something all these drs missed or am I over reacting. I knowppl on this site are not Dr.s but very caring and compassionate and any response would be greatly appreciated thank you for the time and effort in reading this long post.
 
First, from what I have learned, it is definately atypical for ALS to start all over your body. That is why there is a difference made between for instance distal onset and bulbar onset.

Try to see the events in time: You visit a doctor. You feel a need to question what he/she told you. You consult doctor Google. Doctor Google suggests you the worst possible because there are so many out there worried about ALS. After this you are starting to get increased and new symptoms because of your brewing health anxiety.

You have visited several doctors, among them more than one neurologist. They have all told you it is not ALS. The fact that an intern calls for a superior, is nothing out of ordinary, and it is not something to worry about.

It is not uncommon for more severe CTS ( you say you need a splint, so it is more pronounced ) to cause atrophy. And it is not uncommon for spondylosis to cause neuropathy. Try to get these things in check, trust the doctors you are visiting, because they have the knowledge, and yes, an EMG picks things up way ahead of time.

Best of luck.
 
Thank you so much for your response. You are right about the health anxiety I'm out of control with this. I saw a total of six neurons 2 being als specialists and all told me all is well I just can't seem to get my head around the fact that the original emg was only done on one side. That was done in February if I was symptomatic with bulbar symptoms now I wonder if it would have shown up elsewhere at that time. I apologize for my ignorance on this matter and I so appreciate you spending your time answering my question. Roman
 
I agree with Kosmo. Your symptoms do not sound like ALS. I think you are suffering from acute google-itis, which is spreading like an epidemic.
Relax, read Kosmo's reply again, think about what the doctors said, and stay off the internet. Your symptoms should begin to clear soon.
 
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