Still Concerned !

[HELP !]

Hello Doctor, you answered my question posted on 08/25. Thank you very much. As I can do 2 questions, I will try to solve some more doubts because sometimes I continue scared. Thank you in advance.
I´ve read in some articles and forums that many people diagnosised with ALS were runners (marathonists). Like I posted in my first question, I ran one marathon last april (my first one). After it I began with some widespread fasciculations, in may. I had 4 clinical exams (all normal) and 2 EMG´s (normal, but the last one 2 weeks ago found rares fasciculations). In the last days the fasciculations reduced the intensity but when they appear are more frequently in my left calf and right knee. Questions:
1) I am very afraid back to run and do exercices after the articles that I read. Since april I do nothing and gained 30 lbs. Do you think the running can increase the possibity to have ALS ? If yes, is it considerable ?
2) In EMG, the fibrillations and positive waves can appear after fasciculations ?
3) Have you ever seen any person with normal clinical exams and normal EMG (just with some rares fasciculations) progress to ALS ?
4) Are there medications (creatine, vitamin, carnitina,...) that prevent ALS to persons that do exercises ?
5) If fasciculations doesnt´t disappear, do you think is necessary following with my neurologist ?
6) I am trying a lot put this things out of mind but it is hard. Can you give me some advice ?
Thank you again.


I am male, 29 years old. Thank you again.

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

1) There is no scientific/medical realtionship between running/exercise and ALS. Fasciculations can commonly occur in normal people without ALS particularly after exercise.

2) rare fasciculations in EMG can be within normal limits

3) not in my experience, the risk is extremely low

4) no

5) it can always be good to follow if you have frequent concerns as frequent reassurance can be helpful in your case. If other symptoms such as muscle weakness, wasting, inability to swallow or blood in the urine or excessive cramping after exercise occur you should see your doctor

6) based on the information you give (although limited by having not seen you) there is no evidence to suggest you have ALS. There is no contraindication or risk to exercise in your case.

[ryn21]

Help,

I am sorry for hijacking your thread.  But I have been trying to post a question on here for some time and every time I do, I cant because I get a message stating the limit has been reached for the day.  Only one person has posted today.  What is the limit, 1?  Please respond.

[HELP !]

I don't know. Somedays 1, others 2 ! No more than it. Regards.

[werty]

O.K. I am in the same boat, what is the secret to getting a question to the doctor? And I am also sorry for asking on your post, but know of no other way. Hope someone can help as I keep getting the same message of having reached the quota for the day.
Thanks

[spenjo]

I was able to get around at 10 am est when I posted.  Hope this helps.

[Med Help]

Our funding and the doctors' time is limited.  Currently we accept 2 new questions each day. Please note that on occasion, someone will click on the POST A QUESTION button and then decide not to post their question, which uses up one of the questions for the day.

Our forums reset to new questions at a different time every day.  We do this to give people in all time zones a chance at getting their questions answered.

Often people think that if they try early enough in the morning, they will get their question posted.  This is not the case as the forum may be scheduled to reset at noon or later on that particular day.

I hope this answers your questions.

Med Help International

[Jon Soderlund]

I have been under alot of stress lately about this. I do mortgage home loans at home, and decided to work a self employed job, instead of the daily grind downtown. Now about 4 weeks ago I started to get very fatigued and a little vertigo. But I already have vertigo due to a slight eustacian tube ear problem I've had for years. But the fatigue and the weight loss started to worry me a bit. So I got some blood work done just to make sure. And everything was normal except for a 7.1 reading on my TSH test, which is a Thyroid reading. But what's puzzling me is the reading of this type is hypothyroid making you gain weight, not lose it. I do get twitches all over, and I'm stressing bigtime over it. I get tremors from time to time, and my heart rate jumps sometimes, and have lost 25 pounds since last April. I can still swallow, and my speech isn't slurred, nor do i have any leg or hand numbness/ or weakness. But the weight loss is very scary. I've never lost that much before. I don't suggest this line of work for everybody as it's made me extremely stressed and worried. My Doc has ruled out MS or ALS for the time being, but I still am concerned cause I've been depressed and have had a significant amount of anxiety over it. Now my Sciatica is really bothering me cause it's adding to the other problems too. Any suggestions..? as this forum is new to me and reading this stuff just overwhelms people sometimes, THANX ALO

[plv]

ALL THE DOCTOR'S SHOULD FOCUS MORE ON msg AND aspartame...........................aLOT OF PEOPLE WILL GET RELIEF WHEN THEY ELIMINATE  IT FROM THEIR DIET

[OPPR]

My husband’s problem started December 2004.  Both his hands were giving him trouble – numbness and tingling.  The GP thought tendonitis in both hands.  The problem became worse; numbness and tingling with jabbing needle pains.  The GP thought carpal tunnel.  The tests came back normal.  Then both feet started feeling numb and tingling.  We eventually saw a neurologist.  The arms developed quick single punch twitch (simultaneous).  I could also observe twitching in the chest at night while he was sleeping.  Neotriptyline was prescribed.  At each dose increase, from 10 to 20 to 30; severe twitching was observed in the hands, legs, neck.  Shakiness in hands seems to have persisted.  EMG (2), NCV (2), MRI, Xray and 10 various blood tests were done.  Nothing is coming out as abnormal – all within normal range.  The neurologist noted tongue twitching.  My husband has a hard time deciphering where a needle touching the skin anywhere on his arms or lower legs actually is.  There does appear to be some compression in three neck vertebrae but not enough for the neurologist to say it’s a problem.  My husband has always been slight of build – no upper body muscle development.  Lately, he can control his hand shakiness by voluntarily flexing and relaxing his muscles.  Also, he can now touch his index finger to his thumb without tremor.  Minor twitching is now present in his abdomen; slight tiny earthquakes.  My husband says he really can’t tell if its twitching because he sometimes feels like he’s twitching everywhere.  Hands are still tingling and numb.  Feet are also that way but to a somewhat lesser degree.  He is very tired.  What could be suspect?