ALS?

[butch46]

Hello, about 10 years ago I started having fasiculations and some muscle weakness in arms. My PCP sent me to a neurologist who did blood work, muscle/nerve conductivity tests, enhanced MRI and clinical findings and determined that it was begin fisiculations and put me on Neurontin. The fasiculations had virtually stopped and the muscle weakness improved over the 10 year period. In Dec of 2007 the fisiculations returned with a vengance all over my body and I developed pain in my left forarm muscle, my right buttock and both sides of my neck. I saw my PCP in Jan of 2008 and he dimissed my symptoms and told me to take Ibuprofen for the muscle pain. About 2 weeks ago  I noticed my voice started sounding like I had a sinus infection and my tongue feels thicker. Also I get a tickling sensation in my throat that causes me to cough (possible fasiculations?). When I had my neurological work-up 10 years ago they also said I had Horner's Syndrome. Should I press my PCP to go deeper? Could this now be onset of ALS? Thank you

[patsy10]

Did you have a muscle biopsy?  My friend  had every test known to man and all came back normal.  Finally, a good neuro ordered the biopsy which showed polymyositis.

[butch46]

To Vinci5 Thanks for the response. Please tell me more about your symptoms. When they first appeared and what order they presented. Also, what was your trouble breathing diagnosed as? Please stay in touch and God bless you, butch46

[vinci5]

I also have the same symptoms and I went to a Neuro muscular disease specialist, and he is trying to tell me that it is benign fasiculations!  I spoke to my PCP, and he said NO WAY!  Find another neurologist!  It is not benign fasiculations! There is something alot more to this!  I am also being sent to a pulmonoligist because I am having trouble breathing and I have a peg tube due to severe swallowing problems!

[patsy10]

Ditto what Carol said.

[Carol in PA]

Butch,
There may be an underlying reason for your symptoms:  tick borne infection.
Infection with the Lyme bacteria can cause symptoms that resemble ALS or MS.
This is because the bacteria invade the nerves, causing various neurological symptoms.
Regarding the problems with your voice, the nerve to the vocal cords may be affected.
If your tongue feels "thicker" it may be due to numbness.  Sometimes people will get tingling in the tip of the tongue, or twitching.
Muscle twitching may result when the Lyme bacteria use up the magnesium in the muscle and nerve cells.
The Canadian Lyme Foundation at canlyme dot com has a good list of symptoms, and other easy to understand information.

Wishing you the best,
Carol