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Symptoms and EMG

I have the following symptoms:

-Arms, hands, and legs are stiff, heavy and weak (left arm weaker than right).
-Muscles burn with lactic-acid type burn feeling with use or holding a position. For example, arms burn when folding laundry or holding a cell phone. Legs burn climbing stairs.
-Muscles cramp, including diaphragm muscle. For example, left hand/triceps will cramp if holding a cell phone, and diaphragm will cramp when bending over.
-Atrophy of right masseter and right side of face, left triceps, left wrist, below right knee, near right elbow, and glutes.
-Tremor in hands.
-Loss of hand dexterity. Trouble with utensils and dropping objects.
-Body wide twitching with some focal twitching under eyes and at left elbow/triceps.
-Problem swallowing solids in pharyngeal stage. Need to wash down food with water.
-Sometimes choke on liquids and saliva.
-Weak voice, with pitch loss.
-Slurring and trouble articulating/forming words.
-Increased saliva.
-Aching/painful tongue.
-Run out of breath when talking.
-Intermittent dry cough.
-Cough after laughing and sometimes after eating and talking.
-Throat becomes scratchy and irritated from talking.
-Phlegm buildup.
-Watery eyes during the day and goop in eyes in morning.
-Reduced blinking.
-Shortness of breath on stairs.
-Insomnia.
-Poor lip seal.
-Bite tongue and cheek.
-Thumbs feel sprained for days after use, such as thumb and index finger holding neck of bottle.
-When sitting, butt hurts from weight loss even on soft surfaces.
-Feet hurt for days after I walk barefoot. Seems to be loss of footpad.
-Positional vertigo feeling at all times, not just when rising from lying position… even when sitting, standing, and walking.
-Clumsy, incoordination.
-Off-balance feeling and walking into walls, doors, and other things.
-Need to eat continually to maintain weight.
-Emotional lability.
-V toe (between 3rd and 4th toe), both feet.

I have had 7 EMGs over the past 15 months. The first two were normal. The subsequent EMGs showed large motor unit potentials (MUPs) in all muscles tested but no spontaneous activity (fibrillations and sharp waves).  My clinical exams are reported to be normal. 7 neurologists at top ALS clinics say they are sure that I don't have ALS. But they provide no other explanation.

Is it possible that I don't have ALS, even with all these symptoms and large MUPs on the EMG?
2 Responses
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Avatar universal
From what I have gathered from looking into ALS is that head problems like vertigo, clumsiness, and word finding is not what ALS effects. Its more along the lines of jaw muscles being effected because of the disease causing speech to be weaker over time. If you are having head problems like that then I would suggest an MRI scan because it seems that something else is causing those symptoms. Most likely a brain problem or maybe anxiety. Anxiety is known to really mess with your body and can cause bizarre symptoms on top of a nervous stomach. Did this happen after a bad anxiety spell? It is better safe than sorry and look in to all possibilities. I'm glad that ALS is not a suspicion. Best of luck. You will get well.
Helpful - 0
351246 tn?1379682132
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hi!
I am sorry to hear about your medical problems. Well, if you have large MUPs then myopathy is more or less ruled out. It could be a deneravation pathology as seen in ALS and polio, or Guillain-Barré syndrome, C. botulism, and cauda equina syndrome.
Another cause for your symptoms could be multiple sclerosis. Please discuss with your doctor. Take care!

The medical advice given should not be considered a substitute for medical care provided by a doctor who can examine you. The advice may not be completely correct for you as the doctor cannot examine you and does not know your complete medical history. Hence this reply to your post should only be considered as a guiding line and you must consult your doctor at the earliest for your medical problem.
Helpful - 0
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