possitive babinski's sign question for Quix

[shellywill]

I have a question for Quix, I finally saw a Neuro and I was sent within two days for an EMG and I have an MRI of the spin on Monday. I had a possitive Babinski's sign and after the EMG the Neuro (who happened to be a Lou Gerhig's specialist) said that he didn't think that I had Lou Gerhig's disease. However, my Neuro suspected that I did have it and he sent me to him because he wanted to know right away. Is it likely that I have MS or Parkinson's with a possitive Babinski's sign or is there now something else that they are looking for?? Does this happen in these diseases? Or is it still possible that I have Lou Gerhig's Disease? As you can imagine I am terrified.
Shelly

[Quixotic1]

Sorry I've been absent from the forum.  A big low pressure storm moved in and I just have NOT been able to look at the sceen.

I also feel confident from what you have told us that you do not have ALS.  It is a purely motor disorder.  The sensory nerves are not affected.  It can be a little hard to diagnose with certainly, but it is easier to rule it out.  An ALS specialist would not venture a "negative" opinion unless he was pretty confident.  But, in medicine, there can be the rare, reare oddity - hence the unwillingness to bet $75,000.

The "spasms" you speak of.  Are these the little muscle twitches you see under the skin and can feel?  The actual term for them is fasciculations.  Muscle spasms tend to be in large muscle groups, like severe cramps.  Which are you describing?

People always associate fasciculations with ALS, but what they need to know is that fasciculations occur in ALS as a VERY LATE thing.  This is important.  They are not present in the early presentation of the disease.  They occur as the muscle has withered away (severe atrophy) and as the muscle is dying.

I know little about PLS.

The + Babinski sign is an indicator of CNS damage.  It is nonspecific and can be seen in many illnesses.  I would have to check, but I do not think it is characteristic of Parkinson's.

I would rest my belief heavily on the assessment of the ALS specialist neurologist.  Afterall he did the EMG/NCS which is the major diagnostic test for ALS.  Rest easy.  

Again, sorry I was late.

Quix

[shellywill]

Thanks for the information. I have been doing research about everything that I can find that may be related to my symptoms. PLS is the one thing that I have not looked at. I will tonight when my kids are asleep. I really appreciate that you have taken the time to reassure me.. Big Hugs back to you and thank you soooo much!!
Shelly

[Momzilla]

Well, I have to add the disclaimer here that I would certainly put more trust in a trained neurologist, an ALS specialist, for that matter, than someone who posts on an MS forum.  That said, I will tell you that having watched our friend rapidly and progressively deteriorate from ALS, I think you would know after all these months that something was very amiss.

Also, I am QUITE certain that there are NO sensory symptoms in ALS.  Look up solid information for yourself, like the National Intsitutes of Health site.

I'm not sure about Parkinson's, but Babinski's sign is found in MS.  It indicates there is a problem in the central nervous system.  One thing your doc may want to rule out, as mine did, is Primay Lateral Sclerosis, which is NOT terminal, but appears to be more bilateral, or the symptoms seem to appear on both sides.  I don't recall whether the EMG is negative or not with this, I'm sorry.  It was ruled out for me with a PET scan.

Keep in touch.  Big, big hugs,

Zilla*

[shellywill]

Thank you for your concern and I have to say that eventhough I have not posted in a while I really appreciate this forum. Now, the Neuro that did the EMG was the ALS specialist and he was also the one that said he would bet a Toyota Camery that I did not have ALS, but not a BMW. I feel somewhat relieved now that you told me that there are no sensory symptoms in ALS. Thank you so much for responding so quickly. I do have weakness in my arms and legs that was noticeable by my Neuro. As far as the numbness my pinky is still the same, still have those darn muscle spasms in my legs and sometimes in my arms. I guess the positive Babinski's sign is what I am most troubled by. Do you know if this is present in MS or Parkinson's?
Shelly

[Momzilla]

I did a little searching around.  I also had very mixed symptoms when I first started.  So, Quix and I did a lot of research, and now it's all coming back to me, too.

There are NO, NO, NO sensory symptoms in ALS.  The numbness you have, and the feeling that the patches of skin 'are not yours,' are NOT part of ALS.  These are paresthesias.  They are not part of ALS.  ALS symptoms are MOTOR only, like progressive weakness.

Understand?

Zilla*

[Momzilla]

Hi, again~

Was this the neuro who specializes in ALS that was doing all the betting?

There are swallowing problems in MS as well.  Many members here have swallowing problems.  And weakness.

Numbness is NOT a problem in ALS, as I undertand it.

I would put my trust more in the doc who specializes in ALS.  Was he the one who said it was not ALS?

[shellywill]

First, thank you for responding. Six to seven months ago I started experiencing numbness in my right pinky finger. My skin in that area feels as if it is not mine. However, to answer your other questions, I do have swallowing problems as well as weakness (that was noticeable by my Neuro) in my legs and arms and yes it seems in my neck. I suppose this is why he ordered an EMG within two days. The Neuro that did the EMG was he said a specialist in Lou Gerhig's Disease or ALS. He at first during the begining of the test said that he was pretty sure that I didn't have it and then at the end said he felt that I didn't. I have had an MRI of the brain (normal) extensive blood work (normal) and I am scheduled for an MRI of my spine on Monday as well as a repeat of extensive blood work. I have 4 children, 23, 20, 17, and 5. I am terrifed. I knwe that something was wrong but I did not once think of this. Yes the Neuro said he doesn't think that I have it, but when he said it in the beginng of the test, he said that he would bet a toyota Camery that I didn't but he wouldn't bet a BMW. So I am asumming that this is still a possibility.

[Momzilla]

I didn't want you worrying for a long while waiting for Quix.  She is sometimes busy working on our Health Pages and sometimes doesn't see every post.  And sometimes, she just isn't feeling up to par.  I can understand that you are terrified, and I didn't want to leave you hanging.

The Babainski sign can be present in ALS, or Lou Gerhig's Disease, it's true.  But iit can also indicate a slew of other processes. Have you had other testing done?  An EMG?  A negative EMG would rule out ALS definitively.  ALS is peripheral.  

Also, if an ALS specialist thinks, in his expert opinion that you do not have ALS, I would take comfort in that.  ALS is a pretty big deal.  It needs great attention.  A friend of ours had it, and he needed care right away, arrangements had to be made.  gIf an ALS specialist thought for a minute you might have it -- he'd investigate it further.

Do you have ANY sensory symptoms?  Do you have dizziness, tingling, numbness, sensations of any kind?  This would not be a part of ALS.

One of the hallmark symptoms of ALS would be swallowing problems and neck weakness.  These sometimes present first.

Please answer me back, Shelly, so we can help to hopefully ease your mind further.

Hang in there!

Zilla*