vantec
Distinguished member
- Joined
- Dec 12, 2006
- Messages
- 108
- Reason
- Learn about ALS
- Country
- US
- State
- OH
- City
- Wakeman
Hi all,
Forgive the long post. Strange symptoms started in early June 2006.
Let me first give some background. I have an anxiety disorder, with
occasional panic attacks, and sleep problems. I also have a herniated
disc at C-5/C-6. I take medications for the above problems. Xanax for
the anxiety and panic attacks, Trazodone for sleep, and Norco for pain
management after two unsuccessful cervical operations.
My first symptoms were a generalized weakness, and could not
sleep at all. I developed pain near my liver, and thought that
the medications may have been the reason. I drove myself to the
ER, they did ultrasound, blood and urine work. All came back
normal. I was greatly relived, and went home. This was in the
middle of July.
But the generalized weakness and sleep problems got worse,
and then I had trouble urinating. At that point (about two
weeks later), I had a family member drive me to the ER, and
they did blood work, and gave me a catheter, because I could
not give them a sample, that I wore until I could see a
urinary specialist. He thought it could be an enlarged
prostate, but his examination showed a normal prostate,
and said it was most likely the medications I was taking.
He gave me a home catheter unit, but I only needed
it for two or three days, and with some effort, didn't
need to use it anymore.
At this time, early September, my generalized weakness become
worse, and I had trouble walking. It took effort to walk normal.
Sleep was still a problem, as it is even last night, but I found
that adding 1/2 pill of Soma to the Trazodone would give me 4
to 5 hours of sleep.
Then in early October, I notice that a small amount of muscle
atrophy in my legs, arms and buttocks. No one else could
see it. I was spending almost the whole day in bed, and
thought that my muscle wasting was because I was not using
my muscles for over 6 weeks. I started to lift weights, do
push ups and did walking, running (3/4 of a mile was my limit),
and rode a stationary bike for 1/2 hour, alternating the
aerobic activity every other day. My muscles in my arms are
now bigger than at any time in my life. My question is, is it
possible to grow muscle if you have ALS?
My condition got worse, and my voice got nasal and my throat
felt like there is a knot in it, and I have scalp problems,
a lot of hair loss, and breathing problems. But after about
3 weeks, my voice was normal again, as it is today. I was
getting weaker and weaker, so I saw a top Neurologist in
late October, and he did the normal neuro tests, and an EMG.
He said everything came back normal, except my reflexes, that
were 2+, but said they were from my disc herniation. I told
him I felt twitches, but he did not see any during the time
he examined me. He assured me that I did not have ALS, and
that the medications were the problem.
Well, I feel weaker everyday, and the twitches are now
constant, when I am resting, and there is a good deal of
cramping if I stay in a chair too long, or cross my legs.
I can still walk, but it is getting harder and harder. My
arms are still strong, but my body feels like a rubber band.
I am going to see another Neurologist for a second opinion,
right after the New Year, but I feel so bad now, I wonder
if I can make it. I can think of only two things that I
might have, ALS or Myasthenia Gravis. This is getting way
too long, but I have a lot of the symptoms of Myasthenia
Gravis too. Is there anyone on this group that was diagnosed
with Myasthenia Gravis? Any other input is welcome.
Thank you.
Conrad
Forgive the long post. Strange symptoms started in early June 2006.
Let me first give some background. I have an anxiety disorder, with
occasional panic attacks, and sleep problems. I also have a herniated
disc at C-5/C-6. I take medications for the above problems. Xanax for
the anxiety and panic attacks, Trazodone for sleep, and Norco for pain
management after two unsuccessful cervical operations.
My first symptoms were a generalized weakness, and could not
sleep at all. I developed pain near my liver, and thought that
the medications may have been the reason. I drove myself to the
ER, they did ultrasound, blood and urine work. All came back
normal. I was greatly relived, and went home. This was in the
middle of July.
But the generalized weakness and sleep problems got worse,
and then I had trouble urinating. At that point (about two
weeks later), I had a family member drive me to the ER, and
they did blood work, and gave me a catheter, because I could
not give them a sample, that I wore until I could see a
urinary specialist. He thought it could be an enlarged
prostate, but his examination showed a normal prostate,
and said it was most likely the medications I was taking.
He gave me a home catheter unit, but I only needed
it for two or three days, and with some effort, didn't
need to use it anymore.
At this time, early September, my generalized weakness become
worse, and I had trouble walking. It took effort to walk normal.
Sleep was still a problem, as it is even last night, but I found
that adding 1/2 pill of Soma to the Trazodone would give me 4
to 5 hours of sleep.
Then in early October, I notice that a small amount of muscle
atrophy in my legs, arms and buttocks. No one else could
see it. I was spending almost the whole day in bed, and
thought that my muscle wasting was because I was not using
my muscles for over 6 weeks. I started to lift weights, do
push ups and did walking, running (3/4 of a mile was my limit),
and rode a stationary bike for 1/2 hour, alternating the
aerobic activity every other day. My muscles in my arms are
now bigger than at any time in my life. My question is, is it
possible to grow muscle if you have ALS?
My condition got worse, and my voice got nasal and my throat
felt like there is a knot in it, and I have scalp problems,
a lot of hair loss, and breathing problems. But after about
3 weeks, my voice was normal again, as it is today. I was
getting weaker and weaker, so I saw a top Neurologist in
late October, and he did the normal neuro tests, and an EMG.
He said everything came back normal, except my reflexes, that
were 2+, but said they were from my disc herniation. I told
him I felt twitches, but he did not see any during the time
he examined me. He assured me that I did not have ALS, and
that the medications were the problem.
Well, I feel weaker everyday, and the twitches are now
constant, when I am resting, and there is a good deal of
cramping if I stay in a chair too long, or cross my legs.
I can still walk, but it is getting harder and harder. My
arms are still strong, but my body feels like a rubber band.
I am going to see another Neurologist for a second opinion,
right after the New Year, but I feel so bad now, I wonder
if I can make it. I can think of only two things that I
might have, ALS or Myasthenia Gravis. This is getting way
too long, but I have a lot of the symptoms of Myasthenia
Gravis too. Is there anyone on this group that was diagnosed
with Myasthenia Gravis? Any other input is welcome.
Thank you.
Conrad