ALS or MS

[jojo1464]

I am 48 yr old female. For 5 months I have had a weakness feeling in my arms and leg on my left side.Shoulder blade pain that as resolved. But my arm gets tired holding steering wheel for lengths of time. The leg is functional. Somtimes it feels tired down by the ankle and shin but I walk all day in my job. I also have been running/walking. This is the report from the MRI. 1.x 1.2 cm area of faint T2 hyperintensity in the white matter of the right frontal lobe. The exact origin and significance of this area of minimal T2 hyperintensity are difficult ot determine. The leading diagnostic considerations would be white matter ischemia or demylinating disease. Suspicion of neoplasm is low. Could somone give their thoughts on what this may be... I am obviously concerned. In process of getting neuro consult. .Can someone tell me I have a lesion on  right Frontal lobe and having these symtpoms, that this could be an indicator for ALS?

[jojo1464]

THanks for your help. I went to neuro. He is doing a number of tests to rule out several things. A couple of electrical impulse exams and MRI of spine and thoracic. Then in 6 weeks a spinal tap. He still can't make a diagnosis at this point. In exam he cleary sees the weakness in my hand and leg  as compared to right. but is unsure if its related to MS. Will be in touch. Appreciate your response.

[immisceo]

I don't feel I can add any direct information or advice to the other times you've posted this question in the past couple of days. JJ and Lulu both offered good advice.

Have you received your appointment yet? You mentioned you might find out about that on Thursday. I would shift focus to putting together a symptom list and timeline (information and tips are in our Health Pages http://www.medhelp.org/health_pages/Multiple-Sclerosis/The-Importance-of-the-Timeline/show/765?cid=36).

I'd also recommend pursuing ways of mitigating the enormous stress you might understandably be under. Thoughts of MS and definitely ALS are putting the cart before the horse at this point. Easier said than done, but do try to find ways to get out of the 'what do I have?' headspace a little bit every day. I know whenever I want to give my brain a rest, I put the laptop away and go outside, read a book, meet-up with a friend, do some mindfulness practice, potter around on the balcony garden, etc. Having a high anxiety level majorly reduces my quality of life, so I throw the kitchen sink at it if it starts to creep up.