Neurology

[knollwood]

I'm 69.  About 4 months ago,. I had a burning pain in left side of my neck. Went to my primary who said stop exercising with weights and take Advil.  He also took me off Vytorin.  Pain did not go away. Went to a ortho who tought I had a pinched nerve. MRI of cervical spine revealed no compression but a thyglo cyst. MRI of brain was unremarkable.  Was sent for phys. therapy which helped neck and shoulder.  In the meantime,  developed tingling in left hand and left foot. Within two weeks, tingling spread to right foot and right hand.  The tinglng continues to today with burning sensations and now twitching in legs and arms and in my back.  Was referred to a neuro who said my neurological was 'pretty good.'  He ordered EMG which showed deteriation of the fibers in left leg nerve which the EMG Dr. said has been going on for a long time.  My neuro said that I have a L5 Nerve Root.  He put me on neurontin.  He wants to see me in 3 weeks to reassess.  I should tell you that with the on-set of the pain in my neck and the tingling, I had a great deal of belching and frequent very soft bowel - but not diarrehea. I also had some swallowing problems. I was sent to a gastro who did an endoscopy which was negative.  He put me on prilosec because he believes I have acid reflux.  The belchng has largely subsided.  The swallowing difficulty has largely subsided.  Bowels have returned to normal.  The neuro has not made any comments as to what may be causing my symptoms.  I am concerned about what is going on and wonder if this may be ALS.

[knollwood]

Thank you for your prompt and encouraging reply.  I very much appreciate it.  Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

knollwood

[painkiller99]

Although difficulty in swallowing can be a symptom of ALS, the improvement in this condition, as well as the other gastrointestinal complaints, strongly suggests that this might not be related to your present condition.
ALS is difficult to diagnose early because symptoms may be similar to other neurological diseases.  However, if your neurologist should entertain it as a differential diagnosis, he/she might subject you to further tests such as nerve conduction studies, spinal tap, and even a muscle biopsy to determine the cause of your symptoms.

[High Noon]

The only thing I can write is that in all my reading of ALS, your symptoms do not mimick the disease. Pain is not a sign of ALS- muscle atrophy and motion loss.

ALS is a progressive disease so certianly your gastrenterological symptoms, which seem to have gotten better, are not any indication of ALS.

Good Luck