ALS vs Cervical Spondyliosis § Lumbar Herniated disk

[RPS50]

I'm a 52 yr old male with history of Asthma & sarcoidosis. Approx. 5-6 months ago while under a period of stress (due to my ex being diagnosed with terminal cancer) I developed an ache in my back. At first it seemed to move over the whole back but had different sensations in different areas; lower back felt more like normal back pain, shoulder area & center of back an ache that would increase or decrease in discomfort at various times. There didn't appear to be any other pains associated with this in any of my extremeities & no pain on bending or motion.The ache seemed to have settled into the shoulder blade & center back area.At times I would get weak sensations through my whole body like I was going to collapse but they would pass. Some days the ache was practically non-existant other days very noticable.
I had a normal Brain CT, CT of pelvis & abdomen normal. PFT & lung x-ray consistant with existing conditions. About 3months ago went to the orthopedist & MRIs indicated cervical spondyliosis & large lumbar HNP. Again no real pain anyplace else. The Dr. has prescribed PT & anti-inflamitory drugs. I would accept this if not for the fact that within the past two months I seem to have developed some weird sensation in my left cheek. More like a tightness than a numbness or tingling. I also have noticed some slight twitching in my left elbow area of short duration(I now remeber seeing this twiching in the elbow months before any back problems, it was very sporadic & then stopped)Now notice every ache & weak feeling in extremities. Nero appt. in 2 wks. IS this ALS?

[CCF-Neuro-M.D.-JT]

Doesn't sound like a typical case of ALS. But in someone with sarcoids, you have to consider the possibility of neurological involvement. The neuro exam will be very important in picking up any objective signs of neurological disease. An MRI of the brain and spinal tap may be helpful, but it again depends on what the exam shows.

A disk pushing up against a nerve root if severe enough can cause fasciculations in the appropriate area. So depending on where the disk disease is, the elbow twitching could be related. GOod luck