Chronic denervation found on muscle biopsy, ALS concern

[Pam1210]

I have had fatigue with exertion(generally tired)worsening for 4 years.  Earliest symptoms cramping in my feet when doing yardwork or lots of walking.  Starting 6 months ago,the foot cramping wouldn't go away for a few hours after the activity was stopped and I got cramping in my hands with twitching at the base of my thumb. During the same 6 months my right hand doesn't work like it used to. Turning pages, writing(cramps ups), picking up small objects. Also, my right leg is weaker than left. It shakes often when I rest on the ball of my foot but can move my foot to make it stop. More recently,if my legs are tired the leg shakes while standing up or sitting. I have trouble standing in one place.(I need to get a cane)My right calf is smaller than the left and I can't make the calf muscle "form a muscle". I also notice that I tighten up my muscles in order to use them. I'm also very stiff-example is: when I go down stairs(also walk with a slight limp).
I have been tested for a lot of things. All have been normal except I have an elevated sed.rate and MRI of the brain shows three lesions but spinal tap was normal. The lesions are new over the past 10 years as I had one previously normal.  I had a muscle biopsy of my left calf in September and it came back as mild chronic denervation. EMG testing has only shown I problem muscle in my left arm.  I'm told the others seem fine. Does the fact that the biopsy came back this way mean anything along a diagnosis of ALS?  I would think that if I have ALS, it would be progressing much faster than it has. Any help is much appreciated.

[Diane195]

I am so frustrated! I am always in pain lately. My symptoms are twitching, uncontrolled movements of my legs, shoulders, and other parts on occasions, cramps in my feet, palms of my hands, shoulders. My left foot, lower leg and knee has so much pain I can not some times walk. My feet feel asleep and achy. Lately my hands can not hold pens with out cramping. My feet cramp too if I even move them the wrong way. Also I have lost a great deal of my hair??? I do not know if related but since I am 48 I can not imagine it is not. No one in my family has hair loss like that.
I have seen my doctor so much I feel that I live there, but they never resolve the problem. Recently I started going to a foot doctor because I picked the
worse pain area and focused on that. He injected me with some stuff? and it went away only to return much worse. Then because it took weeks to see a neurologist. Finally I have a MRI and EMG scheduled. I have been told a movement disorder or brain problem??? Even on percocet pain meds I can not stand my self. Has any one had simular problems and what was the results?
  

[Pam1210]

Sorry, I posted this in the wrong place I think..