Muscle twitching, weakness and pain in legs and back

[vilkas]

I am a male, who will be 41 years old this year and I started experiencing my muscles twitching in January, 2007.  It is now other symptoms, like my muscle tone is gone in my legs and arms, weight loss, having trouble writing, typing, walking, can't lift my arms above my head to brush or wash my hair, start sweating, back is sore all over, muscles are cramped in my calves all the time and my fingers on both hands can not be held straight out.  I eat very healthy, exercise, etc., but now I feel weak and I can't even lift anything.  I have no health insurance, so I have gone to GNC to buy amino acid and creatine shakes.  I drink 2 a day, but I'm not getting any better.  I'm worried about ALS, since my symptoms are so close to this.  Do you have any suggestions on a non-insured person experiencing symptoms like I have?  I appreciate any response you may offer.  Thanks!

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

First of all, keep in mind that I am unable to diagnose you because I am unable to examine you, this forum is for educational purposes.
    I am sorry to hear about your disabling symptoms, you should see a neurologist right away.  There are ways to be billed for your services and also free clinics that can help when you do not have insurance.  Some of the symptoms that you describe are concerning for possible ALS such as muscle twitching, loss of tone, progressive weakness, but other symptoms do not make sense with this diagnosis such as the hands not straigtening out.  I would suggest that you see a neurologist and get an EMG (nerve muscle test done) to evaluate for signs of a neuro-muscular condition.  Many of these conditions (not ALS) are reversible and you should not delay your visit due to cost.
I hope this has been helpful.

[jc80]

your symptoms sound much like mine,  by "unable to straigten fingers" do u mean that they curl under?  and when u try to straighten them flat it looks like a claw?  i have seen several drs still no dx.  if u look at the topics posted back in april you will see one by me regarding hand clawing and weakness.  several users have posted helpful comments.  i cannot offer you a dx as i do not know myself.  i recommend seeing a neuro doc and maybe getting an EMG tho.  my legs feel very heavy somtimes and i've lost a lot of muscle in my hand.  i have low range of motion in my shoulder and i get muscle and joint pains.  i have been diagnosed w/ fibromyalgia but told that it has nothing to do w/ my hand problems and joint stiffness/pain.  no drs really know what to tell me.  let me know anything you find out, it may help me as well!  and make sure to check out my topic below, you may find some usefull info from others.

[patsy10]

What you describe sounds very concerning to me.  I would get it checked out insurance or no insurance.  I would go to a county hospital if you have to.  Worst case scenario regarding insurance, you can pay ten dollars a month toward the bill.

[mike1105]

i would recommend a place like the MAyo (Minnesota) or the cleveland clinic (cleveland). your symptomas warrant tests, and then probably referrals to specialists. These centers do it all under one roof. You will not get  a diagnosis and treatment ove the internet. You need to see qualified physicians. I really dont see any other choice.

[4t1074]

You should get to a neruologist soon, go to the ER at the hospital, they will have a neuro look at you.  Or, I would contact the closest MDA office, tell them your situation and ask for help.  That's what the MDA does.  Usually, the MDA will pay for the bill if you cannot.

If the ER neuro tells you you ahve a problem, have him refer you to the MDA center / office near you.

What you describe is very concerning for ALS.  

YOu may want to contact your closest ALS clinic also, tell them your situation.  They can be found on the MDA website.  Also, you can contact the closest ALS Assn., you should be able to google it, tell them your situation and tell them you need help getting into a clinic.

[Mags123]

I relate to the whole mucle twitching in thighs along with pains in ankles, knees, upper arms, shoulders, back pain in morning when I wake up.  I was diagnosed with over-active thyroid in Jan and due to "too much" meds I became under-active.  I started to experience pains in legs in March and my  problem has since got worse.  I am attending a rheumatologist.  He tells me I have "myositis" - inflammation of muscles due to underactive thyroid.  I am on steroids at the moment, however the dose is not clearing the pain.  I am awaiting further blood results back.  My main concern is my muslces - they appear to be wasting - physiotheraphy may be required.  You should have thyroid tests done along with mysositis tests.

[Mags123]

I relate to the whole mucle twitching in thighs along with pains in ankles, knees, upper arms, shoulders, back pain in morning when I wake up.  I was diagnosed with over-active thyroid in Jan and due to "too much" meds I became under-active.  I started to experience pains in legs in March and my  problem has since got worse.  I am attending a rheumatologist.  He tells me I have "myositis" - inflammation of muscles due to underactive thyroid.  I am on steroids at the moment, however the dose is not clearing the pain.  I am awaiting further blood results back.  My main concern is my muslces - they appear to be wasting - physiotheraphy may be required.  You should have thyroid tests done along with mysositis tests.

[Lilithsheart]

I have pain in my hands, legs, back, shoulders, knees just all over. The palms of my hands hurt. The pain is worst at night. It is getting worse day by day.

[Manhattan]

Sorry to hear about your symptoms :( If it IS ALS, my brother was telling me he knows someone with ALS who was getting progressively worse and then started taking Chinese Herbs - not sure which ones, but apparently he improved a great deal and was doing very well. You want to get a diagnosis so you can at least know what it is and deal with it. Best of luck to you.

[johnflox]

First of all, as with all sudden neurological crisis, you should check what drugs you have taken before the onset of your symptoms. Some very common antibiotics, like cipro and levaquin, and floxin, do cause all the symptoms that you list, and many more, for many months and years after discontinuation of the therapy. It is also very common that the symptoms start some weeks or months after being treated with those antibiotics. Other medicines have similar side effects too, so it is worthwhile to check what drugs (and leisure or job-related toxics) you have been exposed to.

Many people that get very concerned with ALS are in fact suffering from delayed onset of neurological intoxications caused by drugs. Cipro and levaquin for instance cause in a vast number of people, fasculations, muscle weakness, atrophy, neurological pains, etc. Two years ago, all the package inserts of this class of antibiotics have a warning of IRREVERSIBLE NEUROLOGICAL CONDITIONS caused by them. They are not rare at all, and they tend to be irreversible and permanent in some cases, but the majority of persons heal slowly over the years, provided that they do get re-exposed.

[molady]

A related discussion, poor balance was started.