Laffy130
New member
- Joined
- Aug 25, 2013
- Messages
- 4
- Reason
- PALS
- Diagnosis
- 08/2013
- Country
- US
- State
- Connecticut
- City
- Southern
Wow, never thought that I would be a member of a site like this. I am a 28 year old female and the mother of a beautiful 6 month old son. I first became concerned when I noticed I was "walking funny." I was very weak in my legs (slower than molasis going up stairs) but I thought that was normal after childbirth. Went to a chiropractor, thought it was an alignment issue or perhaps a weird effect of my epidural I received during delivery. Chiropractor was great, but admitted right away that this was something call foot drop and told me to see a neurologist. So I did...a normal MRI and after an abnormal EMG test showing weakness in my feet, legs, hands, and arms the neurologist sent me to an nueromuscular specialist. The specialist gave me a thorough exam and another EMG which confirmed weakness in my legs and arms. He then said, "If you were 70, I would diagnose you with ALS right now, but because of your age and recent childbirth, I want to dig much further." So we have been digging...another normal MRI of head w/ contrast, 2 more rounds of blood work, and a spinal tap which has recently come back normal. ALS specialist said the spinal tap was the last test.
What confuses me so much is that I have absolutely no problems swallowing or chewing? Is it possible to diagnose ALS without bulbar issues? My husband and I are determined to "love me through" this nightmare that I just want to be over! Can't bear the thought of not seeing my 6 month old grow up, or even having another child.
What confuses me so much is that I have absolutely no problems swallowing or chewing? Is it possible to diagnose ALS without bulbar issues? My husband and I are determined to "love me through" this nightmare that I just want to be over! Can't bear the thought of not seeing my 6 month old grow up, or even having another child.