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Neurology (Expert Forum)
arm/leg weakness
This forum is for questions and support regarding neurology issues such as: Alzheimer's Disease, ALS, Autism, Brain Cancer, Cerebral Palsy, Chronic Pain, Epilepsy, Fibromyalgia, Headaches, MS, Neuralgia, Neuropathy, Parkinson's Disease, RSD, Sleep Disorders, Stroke, Traumatic Brain Injury
arm/leg weakness
by pfish, Apr 08, 2002 12:00AM
roughly 6 months ago i started feeling a general weakness or heaviness in my left arm. it just felt weak but was not really functioning weak as i continued to lift weights without any loss of strength. the weakness has not intensified in the 6 months but now i'm noticing a similar sensation in my left leg. it feels heavy but i do not sense a loss in function. it seems to sporadically feel better and then worse. i also occasionally feel some slight twitching or spasming in the arm and leg but it is not constant (maybe a couple of times a day). i have not been tripping or dropping things but i am still terrified that it could be the early symptoms of als. i am 33 years old. would i be having more problems by now since i noticed the symptoms 6 months ago? is there any reason to think that since so much time has passed that i can write off als as a possibility? also, since the symptoms seem to come and go, is that a good sign that it isn't als?
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-Neuro-M.D.-JT, Apr 08, 2002 12:00AM
Sorry to hear about your symptoms. They are concerning for a neurological problem, but I would not put ALS at the top of the list. Problems in the cervical (neck) spinal cord like a herniated disc or something going on in the right side of the brain are more likely possiblities. FOr symptoms such as this, go to your family doc (sooner rather than later-especially if you start to note progression of symptoms such as the extension into your leg) and have them check you out, then consider a referral to a neurologist for a formal exam to see if there is any objective signs of weakness. An MRI of the brain and cervical cord may also be helpful in trying to figure out what this is. Good luck.
Now, the feeling of weakness has extended into my right bicep and shoulder. There is no trembling associated with the arm weakness. The feeling is always with me and gets neither better nor worse with exercise.
I've tried to assess the weakness but I can curl as many pounds with my right arm as with my left. I can squeeze a grip exercise device as many times and as quickly with my right hand as with my left.
All I'm left with is an ominous feeling of advancing weakness without impairment. I haven't been to a doctor as I'm not sure it's something I need to worry about.
PS I have no sensation of tingling nor of numbness.
The doctor will not answer your question after the first post. I believe herniated disc can be treated medically or surgically depending on the severity of herniation and symptoms. As for something in your brain once again it depends on what is found. Sleeping positions usually do not effect these things. Try asking your questions on the spinal board at MGH site:
www.braintalk.org
Best of Luck!!
Over 6 weeks ago I had the most terrifying incident when I was driving, shortness of breath 80% loss of feeling to my left leg and arm with the most horrible feeling in the right side of my head, obviously being 40 years old I instantly thought it was a heart attack.
I was minutes away from a hospital where they checked for a heart attack (clear result), then for a stroke or TIA with a MRI of the brain (clear result). With working internationally and doing 2 long hall flights and 2 to 4 short hall flights a month the next test was for DVT, which was (clear result).
Since then I have had 3 MRI’s of the brain and test for endless tropical disease’s, MS, neurological tests of my left and right side of the body, 3 further MRI's of the Brain, MRA of the Brain, MRA of the complete vascular system, and finally after all being (clear results), a MRI of the neck, only after all the doctors gave up.
The symptoms come and go on a regular basis from day to day with a constant numb feeling at the base of the skull and to define this I would say some days are 20% good and 80% bad but on others it can vary 80-20 to 60-40, but a bad day feels like death.. The results from the MRI show central disc osteophyte complexes at C3C4, C4C5 and C5C6, which Indents the anterior theca.
My problem is I have seen two doctors one a neurologist and a neurosurgeon and both have said that the MRI results only warrant physiotherapy only, but the MRI was taken on an 80-20 day. Could the osteophyte complexes be more severe when I am experiencing a 20-80 day that would warrant further investigation?
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