weak/fatigued should/bicep

[mike3456]

Hi.Male/35/165lbs good health,been under extreme stress for 1.5+ years.Don't exercise,worked at computers for 15 years.Have poor posture much of the time.Neck pain on/off many years (15+),sometimes enough to prevent sleeping.Pain often radiated to inside right shoulder blade.Sometimes pain stops for weeks/months and recently no pain.6-7 weeks ago noticed twitching,1st in rt shoulder.That night,tingling in rt arm and it felt heavy-went away within a day,never returned.Twitches began occurring on body on boths sides, mostly right-side (forearm, calves,knee,thighs,buttocks,abdomen,back,neck)-maybe 1 twitch every 5-10 minutes.No noticable weakness or fatigue(lifted fairly heavy things and did yard work)-lasted 2-3 weeks. For 1-2 weeks twitching maybe stopped or I didn't notice them(can't be sure).After that,tingling in hands and feet,numbness in 2 toes,aching in my right thigh/calf which waxed/waned for 1 week.Then got neuro exam- "perfectly normal"-he was "100% sure" wasn't ALS(I asked)-he didn't want EMG,but I talked him into it.Had brn/crv MRI to r/o MS/disc disease,no results yet.But 1-2 days after exam, some "almost cramps" feet arch.Lifted about 1-2 gallons of water w/rt arm,carried short distance- now right shoulder/bicep feels fatigued(day after).Rt leg better but but "feels" slightly different than left.Still no inability to do things.I have the EMG in two days.On Zoloft for 4 days now due to GAD dx by primary doctor. Been extremely scared/anxious past week from this.Hoping arm is from much shoulder shrug using mouse/anxiety tension.Thoughts/comments appreciated. Tnx.

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

I would agree with the evaluation you are receiving, however without examining you I cannot make a diagnosis. It sounds like you have had many complaints over the years, which could be related to your spine. The MRI of the cervical spine should provide answers. Cervical disc disease could cause similar symptoms. Other tests which can be completed include B12, Folate, TSH, and markers of inflammation. If you do not find an answer with this round of testing, perhaps having a second opinion would be reasonable. Good luck.

[mike3456]

Sorry, I should mention that the twitching seemed to return when the leg sx started, but minor the last few days. I'm concerned because I didn't have this arm symptom when I had my neuro exam, but I assume strength/reflexes were ok....would a neuro exam catch ALS if it were early? What other problems might it be? Thanks so much.

[braudel]

Hi, I have very similar problems to yours. How was emg?

[mike3456]

Just an update. My brain MRI was normal. My c-spine MRI showed a "minor herniated disc". Don't know the details yet. EMG tomorrow. No CPK results yet. Thanks.

[mike3456]

By the way, do you think the tingling/heavy arm episode may be caused by the "minor herniated disc" in my c-spine. Also, I wonder if I may have another herniated disc in the thoracic/lumbar spine causing my leg symptoms (sciatica?). I never had an injury as far as a know and I think my mother has always had "back problems". If one has disc disease in the c-spine, does that increase the probability you may have another elsewhere? Thanks.

[mike3456]

EMG was normal. Here's a posting with more details:

http://nextination.com/aboutbfs/forums/viewtopic.php?t=2392

Could the Neurologist here still offer any other comments on my case, even in light of this new information?

Thanks!