ALS

[determan]

I was reading your forum yesterday and need some answers. I have been seeing a neurologist for 3 months and I feel as if I am not getting any answers. It all started December 14 with a trip to the ER with symptoms with vertigo and tight chest. They were unable to determine the problem. I then was subject to CT scans and MRI's of brain and spinal column. This again showed nothing. The neurologist did an EMG and nerve conductance on my arms and hands. He said I had carpal tunnle in both hands and  every thing else was normal. He also ordered an EEG which was normal. The reason I guess he ordered theses was to rule out MS. I still have the wierd disoriented feeling. I have fine tremmors in both hand, more so in the thumbs. When I raise my arms they shake. Some times I fell as if my throat is swollen. My Symptoms seem worse when I stress out about it. I am wondering what sequence of symptoms  are for ALS. Are the tremmors the first thing you see followed by fasiculations, then numbness and pins and needle sensation then atrophy and weight loss. How long does the fasiculations last and how long does the pins and needles senstation last? When would some one notice muscle atrophy? I am an avid lifter  and I have not noticed any muslce or strength loss. I have lifted for 15 years and would consider myself above average in strength. Would I notice the strength loss sooner then others or would it be minimal.  I need to find out what the problem is I am suppose to start med School in july and would like to have this behind me. So please if you can help it would be appreciated.

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

This sequence of events is not typical for ALS



Tremor is not a usual ALS symptom, and if it does appear it is usually late in the course. The normal EMG also speaks against ALS. Sensory complaints like pins and needles are very unusual for ALS, as this disease affects the MOTOR neurons.

The sequence of events, depending on the subtype of ALS, is usually weakness, wasting and fasciculations/cramps of one limb spreading to other limbs or swallowing muscles. Certain types can present with the swallowing muscles first, or muscle weakness or spasticity first.



Maybe if you are not getting any answers and your tests are normal, you should be reassured rather than more anxious that you do not have a diagnosis of a neurological disease



Over the internet I cannot give you the all clear as I have not seen you or your tests, but address you worries with your neurologist or your family physician. Also, as you will soon learn at MedSchool, time is an excellent diagnostic tool



Other diagnostic considerations are thyroid dysfunction, inner ear pronlems (benign paroxysmal vertigo) or essestial/physiological tremor.



Good luck

[Christie2004]

You need to make an appt. to go back to the neurologist with a list of your questions...and DON'T LEAVE until they are answered!

If you aren't satisfied with the care, testing, or treatment you are given by ANY doctor--find another one.  



Of course obsessing and worrying about every symptom you have will magnify it.  What you need to do is to get competent advice from a doctor you trust.  Hopefully the doc here can give you some reassurance, but he/she cannot substitute for medical care provided in person.



You will find as you go through your medical studies, that you will develop symptoms of almost every disease known to mankind.  Goes with the territory.  



Good luck.

[travty]

i do not think you have als.  if your emg is done by a neuro and he say that it is normal, you are fine.  fasiculation never stops until the muscle under the fasiculation wastes away.

[Mother Margaret]

This has been mentioned by those with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, or CFIDS. The gulf war syndrome vets, too.



In these cases, I suspect it is caused by 2-butoxyethanol.  Many times you can pinpoint having 'flu-like- symptoms when it isn't the flu ... possible burning eyes, urine turning dark ... or you could have a parent with such and be getting just a singular or only a few symptoms (not full blown ... but sort of like a 'birth defect' that can show up later)



2-butoxyetanol is a teratogen.  So, based on knowing well what this chemical does, I suspect it for quite a few things www.valdezlink.com/acute.htm  If doctors studied any chemical, they should study this one



http://home.gci.net/~blessing/pages/flu.htm



Why I looked into this chemical's harm

http://home.gci.net/~blessing/pages/who.htm

[mountainclimber]

DUDE! I have had the same problems with the tremoring in my thumb (mostly the left one). Let me ask you something: Have you taken an SSRI like Paxil or Effexor? I have sort of a moderate-level anxiety about my health, and my doctor prescribed effexor. BIG mistake. about three weeks after I started taking it, I started having tremors in my hands, as well as a nasty aching/burning in my muscles and nerves in my arms. As you mentioned, it seemed to get worse when I got concerned about it and, oddly, when I was doing light-duty lifting, like grocery bags. However, when I exercise, the pain disappears. My mind immediately went to ALS or MS, but my doc says that seems really unlikely (I'm 34, in decent shape, and the **** only started on the drugs).I've been off the effexor for two weeks now, and am still having symptoms, but i hear that the withdrawal can be long and unpleasant. I've since done a ton of research, and have found out, contrary to what the drug companies say, that these drugs can have a whole raft of side effects. ANYWAY, I just wanted to let you know that if you are/were on an SSRI, or another drug, that it could be side-effects or withdrawal. So all the best to you, and I hope it goes away soon!