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ALS Community
This patient support community is for discussions relating to Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).
ALS Concerns
by Scared1974, Dec 13, 2007 08:40AM
My story dates back 2.5 months ago. At work I was sitting at my desk and started having a couple twitches in my left forearm. I didn't think much of the situation as it subsided. I then went away on vacation the following weekend and rode a bike for two hours. Afterwards, my pinky was numb which lasted for two weeks. I went online and looked up twitching and numbness and came across ALS. Since then I have felt twitching all over my body (arms, legs, body, eyes), buzzing in my feet and behind my knees, and calf cramps. I have also experienced pain in my arm as if someone punched it. When I got home from my vacation (about 3 weeks since the onset of the first symptoms in my arm) I saw a neurologist who specializes in ALS. He gave me an EMG which everything turned out fine. I have since seen another neurologist and he says there is nothing wrong with me. I obviously am very concerned as this condition is quite annoying. I should also mention that my job is 100% commission and is for that reason quite stressful and scary. Any thoughts are appreciated. Thank you in advance.
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I saw a neurologist, had an EMG and an NCVand the EMG came back problematic! I showed bilateral demylenation, and, combined with my fasciculations, the doctor diagnosed me with Motor Nueron Disease and sent to an ALS clinic, which I visited today.
They re-tested me (another EMG and another NCV) and said that I did NOT have ALS. However, I'm still fasciculating like crazy, so I don't feel as happy as I should, because I still don't know what IS wrong with me.
Two things:
-You had a good EMG. That's great, believe me. If the EMG was problematic, THEN I would say to be concerned. EMGs are highly sensitive and are the absolute best indicator for ALS. But,
-Get tested for Lyme disease. I had chronic Lyme disease ten years ago and it can cause all kinds of nuerological problems. It may even be what's bothering me now- they did a spinal tap to test for Lyme and I'll know the results in a week.
Seriously, I wouldn't sweat the ALS after a fine EMG. But I would check out other causes. Best of luck to you.