Similar problems

Since March I have developed weakness and heaviness in both arms, both hands, both legs and difficulties swallowing. The symptoms began with burning pain and pins and needles on back of hands, followed by symptoms similar to nerve compession - tingling, pain, carpal tunnel syndrome reflexes. Within four weeks my arms and legs have deteriorated with quick fatigue, cramps, muscle spasms. Doing simple tasks gives pain as if I had run a marathon, lifted weights, taken extreme exercise.
This morning my wife visited her GP with symptoms simnilar to my initial symptoms, back of hand pain, pins and needles, hands quickly fatigued. Her GP said atypical of carpal tunnel and likely to be start of a neuropathy.
I have researched ALS/MND but can find no example of someone developing the disease after contact with someone suffering from the illness.
Anyone know of any syndrome/disease that is infectious that could explain the symptoms?

[Christopher R Newey, DO]

Thanks for using the forum. I am happy to address your questions, and my answer will be based on the information you provided here. Please make sure you recognize that this forum is for educational purposes only, and it does not substitute for a formal office visit with a doctor.

Without the ability to examine and obtain a history, I can not tell you what the exact cause of the symptoms is. However I will try to provide you with some useful information.

I would suggest you have your neck evaluated for cervical disc herniation, which can present with the symptoms you describe. The workup would include an MRI of the neck and perhaps an EMG/NCS to evaluate the nerves of the arms for injury and to also localize the lesion. Depending on these results will determine the workup and management. There are several bacteria and viruses that can lead to neuropathies. Blood tests and/or lumbar puncture (i.e, spinal tap) can evaluate for these.

If you have not done so already, it would be worthwhile to have an evaluation by a neurologist.

Thank you for this opportunity to answer your questions, I hope you find the information I have provided useful, good luck.