Possible ALS??

[scaredgrl85]

Please Doctor..I need help. I've been having the most unusual symptoms lately. Starting last week I've been having excruciating headaches along with on/off blurry vision. I went and saw a neurologist, he performed an upper EMG test along with an upper sensory and motor nerve conduction test which all came back normal. I then went for an MRI of the cervical spine and brain that came back normal except for a slight spasm in my neck. He said this is the cause of my headache. I wasn't having neck pain until yesterday, where it feels like my neck is very stiff. I know this can be a symptom of ALS, and sometimes spontaneously I'll get fasculations on my sides and legs but no where else. I'm a 22yr old female with no family history of nervous disorders. My question is, is ALS common in people my age? Should I ask my neurologist about ALS or am I looking too much into my symptoms? I've been very stressed since April, and my family believes this is the cause of my symptoms. Thank you so much.

[pennst8r]

I just wanted to make sure you know that this is not a doctor monitored forum. It is for patient to patient support. There is no docotr to answer here. You can try the "ask the doctor forums". The link on my computer is on the left and up a little from the text box.

If it is any consolation, your symptoms do not really seem to indicate ALS. There are many, many less serious conditions that should be considered first. Please don't panic. It is VERY unlikely that you have ALS

Penn

[scaredgrl85]

Thank you for your response. What can cause my stiff neck??? I'm reading online about meningitis and it says stiff neck, headache and blurry can be a symptom?

[pennst8r]

How long have you had the stiff neck? Is it accompanied by a very high fever? If not, I would be less inclined to worry re meningitis. It could be as simple as a pinched nerve in your neck at the same time your eyes are getting worse. I have a stiff neck quite frequently due to a car accident many years ago that still bothers me. It spasms quite strongly, and believe me - that is enough to cause a whopper of a headache. I think if you go see your primary care doctor, it would calm your fears a lot. If there is anything to worry about, he or she will refer you to the appropriate specialist. Do not let yourself get too wrapped up in worrying about disabling disease until you make sure it's not something more benign.

Penn

[scaredgrl85]

No I don't have any fever, I've had the stiff neck since 2 days. It showed up on an MRI of the cervical spine as a neck spasm. I'm now feeling muscle aches in my lower back, but I also went out friday night with some friends and we were dancing which I haven't done in a long time, so maybe that can cause my muscle aches. I'm so scared this this is something serious and try to calm my fears, I'm going tomorrow to see a neurologist.

[pennst8r]

There you go! It is best to go and be checked out. I feel confident that it is not anything too serious. Will you keep me posted?

Penn

[scaredgrl85]

yes, I definitely will post tomorrow after visiting the doctor .. thanks :)
Just a quick question, how do you know so much about the nervous system? You seem very knowledged!

[pennst8r]

In college I took alot of medical related courses. I have also done a lot of researching, as I too have an undiagnosed diagnosed condition. Every time they test me to rule something out, I research what it is they are testing for. I have 2 sisters with multiple sclerosis and friends with other condtions. In order to be supportive of them, I make sure I know what I am supporting, lol! I have learned alot from a doctor on another forum who is also a patient. The conditions you have mentioned I have been tested for and have been ruled out. So I am familiar with the symptoms. ALS mimics many symptoms of MS that my sisters have and I am trying to have ruled out for myself. My doc thought a few years ago that I might have meningitis because I had a high sudden fever and stiff neck. I was tested and did not have it.

Penn

[pennst8r]

Too funny! I wrote"undiagnosed diagnosed condition", lol. I meant only to write undiagnosed.

Sorry - tired

Penn

[scaredgrl85]

ok Update... he said that ALS is out of the question, he said that's it's a really rare disease and even MORE rare in my age group, he said that he sees 1 or 2 patients with this every year and trust me this guy sees 50 patients a day. I'm being sent for blood tests for autoimmune disorders and lyme. He said my aches can be from bad posture and gave me anti-inflammatory drugs. Thank you :)

[pennst8r]

Glad you were able to put those fears to rest. Sometimes you just have to hear it from a doctor.

Take care!

Penn