Early ALS symptoms

[sbennes]

Hello all-

I am a 35 yr old male. I have been having some very concerning neurological phenomnea that I would like to have examined.  These symptoms begain approx. two weeks ago. Specifically, fasiculations in legs, feet and at times, other parts of the body.  Simultaneously, I have  a subjective feeling of weakness in the right leg: somedays it seems to involve the entire leg, sometimes just the quads and at others, the calf muscle only.  Curiously, this feeling of "weakness" also presents when my leg is at rest and not being used. I have done all the crazy hyperchondriac tests for strength such as squats, calf raises, etc. but there appears to be no objective appreciation in differences of strength. There seems to be no gait disturbance either.

To further mix up the picture, I have had the same feeling of "weakness" and associated twitches in the rt. leg 9 monthes ago which resolved after a week or so.  Even more mysteriously, two yrs. ago I was  experiencing many fasiculations, myoclonus in the rt. leg and positve Babinski (which was later negative on another exam) and "weakness" in rt. leg.  This, too resolved over a period of time.

Can one experience sensations of weakness in different, alternating aspects of the leg, even when at rest?  Does the ALS pt. initially notice sensations of weakness or do they notice subtle changes in wieght bearing activity?

Does the above presentation sound like a progressive neuromuscular disease like ALS?
Thanks for your time.

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

The answer is no, although I cannot give a clinical diagnosis ovcer the internet, and you should have your exam findings confirmed by your local neurologist

Fasciculations are common and usually benign, due to a hyperactive thyroid gland, a benign syndorome, pinched nerves or just related to cold or exercise. In the absence of objective muscle weakness or wasting it is very unlikely to be ALS. Also, the widepread and aternating nature would suggest a benign form, quite common in your age group and not really mysterious!

Good luck

[wmac]

I have gone through alot the archives and read als quesions. I was also wondering when they say twitching without weakness or muscle wasting are they talking about weakness that doesnt get better or comes and goes or comes and stays??? The doc replied to me that twitching without muscle weaknes is not als, but I did say I had some weakness in my hand twice this last summer but it got better! mmmm!!! Also the doc told me that widespread twicthing usually is not als. But one person said the same thing and the doc did not say that to him. One of the questions he replied to that this person had  what sounded like symptoms of als and that he should be checked out then I have read many of questions with similar symptoms and then the doc says it doesnt sound like als! Im a bit confused. I would just really like to know what the order of symptoms usually are. Weakness, do they mean like not being able to use the limb at all or tiredness, or stiffness pain, is pain associated with als? When they say it usually affects a hand or foot first do they mean hand literally or just fingers or the whole hand and fingers? Im just really confused I just would like some answers because im also freaking out here about my symptoms.
wmac

[8611]

A related discussion, ALS was started.

[joshp13865]

hi i am a 28 year old male who was generally active. one day while at work i expereinced numbness in both legs that progressively got worse throughout the day. i called my doc he said go to ER bytthe time i got to the ER i couldnt move my legs at all. that was approx. 5 wks ago and i still have very limited movement in my legs. they dont know what is causing it and have had several MRI's and CT scans with all the results being negative. my doctor is sending me to a specialist. they have not been able to give me a diagnosis and this si so frustrating. i also have pain and numbness in both arms that starts at the neck and radiates down too my fingers. also numbness from my abdomen to my toes. i am concerned this could be ALS anyone have any advise for me.  

[ED50]

A related discussion, Severe pain in arm, muscle waisting was started.

[dankmandingo]

I am a 27 yr old male from cleveland, Ohio. On june 15th, 2005 I started having fasciculations in my left thigh. Since then I have them all over my body. From head to toe, you name a spot, I have them there. I am concerned that it is ALS of course. My left ankle down to my foot just started getting tingly and numb last week. I went to the Cleveland Clinic today for my 3rd visit since June with the same answers. Benign fasciculations. My EMG and MRI were both normal. I also developed vibrations in my left arm and leg. I am scared amd confused. Im not sure how to examine myself properly to determine muscle weekness. I am so scared. I believe my doctors are wrong. Just trying to ease my mind. I know something is wrong, but Im not getting any answers. When I put pressure and bend my left leg it shakes badly. Also when I do pushups my shoulder area shakes. I dont know what any of this means. Im confused. If anyone can give me any insight on this you are all welcome to e-mail me at <<<<<<***@**** >>>>>>>
    
     Thanks and God Bless you all

[childrenrtreasures]

My grandpa recently had an MRI done to "rule out" ALS. They were convinced that's what he had. The good news was that he doesn't have ALS but the bad news was that he had two degenerated discs in his neck and the vertebrae were pressing on his spinal cord.

They told him to avoid all but the slightest activity since even a minor fall could cause the spinal cord to be severed and result in paralysis. He had surgery yesterday and came home today. The surgery is considered successful but they said it may take a year for all of the symptoms to abate.

He had a variety of symptoms but the most obvious to everyone was that his legs "jumped" and twitched frequently. He had a great deal of weakness, tingling and pain also.

It might be wise to get an MRI and EMG to rule out anything obvious.

I have autoimmune thyroid disease and during my hyperthyroid episodes get back and leg spasms as well as muscle cramps and tremors.

Kelly

[dalfoot]

I am currently going through a simalar experience now. I have had muscle twitches all over for about six weeks. This has been accompanied by sorness. I am seeing a top Neuro in New York who says he is not worried about me after seeing me for an office examination. However he is going to give me an EMG to be sure. He said I have BFS but without weakness and good muscle tone I should be ok. I try to recognize that logically this occurred after over exercising and tremendous stress because of my Wife's heart surgery but I still manage to worry. Hopefully after the EMG it will put my mind at ease.

[Skycaptain1618]

Hi all. I'm a 20 year old female and have been experiencing fasciculations for about 3 1/2 months. There were a few other symptoms (tingling,stuttering, buzzing), but they only lasted a couple of days. I haven't recieved a diagnosis from my neurologist yet, but I was wondering about possible causes. My mother had MS, and has since passed away, so that's been my first concern.....but from what I've read, it's probably not the case. However, I did have epiplepsy as a child; When my present symptoms began, I experienced phantom smells, sounds, and sensations, which I know can be a result of epilepsy. Could epilepsy be the cause of my fasciculations and tremors? Also, there was some drug/alcohol use in my past....could my symptoms have resulted from minor brain damage? Forgive me...I'm a worry wart...I'd appreciate any help I can get.

[motheroftwo]

Happy birthday ;-)

I had several emg's, please see my last emg question posted on this site http://www.medhelp.org/perl6/neuro/messages/33872.html

loret, yes the cold does affect me & others with als.

Merry Christmas & Happy new year to y'all.

[merciful]

WOW! I read your previous posting. This is so young to have this diagnoses. I would definately look into a second opinion. Maybe it's a mitochondrial condition or something which could be a little less severe. You must be beside yourself with worry.

Take care

[merciful]

I will check it out. Thanks for the good wishes!

take care
merciful

[loret]

I would like to say that anyone on this forum sight is welcome to e-mail me @ ***@****. Will try to answer quetions. My odessey started with a severe cramp in my right arm in Jan. 2005. The next day my index finger had very minor weakness. From then through now the progression has been very slow; Praise God.
It seems to be in just the right lower arm and hand;mainly thumb and forefinger. Fasiculations are localilzed in effected area and are daily although much less now that I have started supplements. No pain. Positive EMG; all other tests were negative for other causes. Through the process of elimination it pointed to ALS. Although I fell 6 yrs ago and have neck and upper back discomfort that radiates to the upper arm. My right arm is very sensitive to cold. It will be icy when I am warm everywhere else. When that happens my hand is almost paralyzed. Does anyone else have this problem?
Please write on my e-mail I look forward to comparing notes.
Loret

[jenni32]

Just a little info about myself.  I have been having twitches for about 3 years now.  They are pretty much everywhere.  They kind of bounce here and there, but are constant and very strong in my feet.  They are all over my feet, top and bottom.  I go through periods of weakness at times also.  Sometimes I cannot even hold the telephone.  My hand and arm will become very weak and start to shake.  I too went through the ALS fear.  I saw several doctors, none of who know what I seem to have.  I saw one doctor who thought I may have Issac's syndrome.  I then had a very expensive gamma globulin infusion with ofcourse no help.  I have also had twitches in my tongue and sometimes have difficulty speaking.  I have had two sets of EMG's both of which were normal.  Thank GOD.  I also get itching at the bottoms of my feet.  It's sort of an internal itch.(Weird)  I have now started on Lexapro just to stay sane.  Just thought I would share my info.  Just needed to talk.

[Warrior47]

Thanks for your answers ! My thoughts and prayers are with you.

[loret]

I have read the many comments and concerns regarding ALS or possible ALS and I have the same fears and frustations you have all expressed. ALS doesn't seem to follow any absolute path. I experienced a severe cramp in my lower arm last Jan. 2005 and from that I now have muscle wasting in my thumb muscle and arm. I can still function but with great effort and concentration. I do have fasiculations but since I have started taking 5000mcg methyl b-12 everyday and Bcomplex 100 twice a day they have not been as bad. The one symptome I have that is very uncomfortable is extreme cold in my affected arm. When that happens I can barely move my fingers. Does that sound familiar to anyone? I went to Mayo Clinic and was diagnosed in Aug. of this year with ALS. But so far it has not progressed anywhere else.

[wmac]

We are going to run out of posting room on this paticular comment site soon. I do have some questions for you. You can email at ***@****  My questions are: first you talk about fasciulations do you have widespread twitching or just in the effected spot? How bad was your cramping where your affected with the wasting etc..? Did you have any other symptoms besides what you described? Did you know about als before this or did you just know that was what was wrong? I have all over body twitching everyday, sometimes they are just a slow twitches and sometimes they are really fast. My hands hurt did you have pain besides the cramping? My gp doc thinks I have tendonitis because I have been cutting hair for 19 years. It hurts to touch my finger in certian spots by the knuckle and when I apply pressure. How old are you? Did any muscle wasting show up in your blood work or the anything in the protiens in your blood?? How long did it take before you started to get the wasting? Any info would be helpful to me thank you so much and you are in my prayers.
wmac

[motheroftwo]

I would just like to add that not everyone with als gets stiffness/increased muscle tone & no two people with als have the same symptoms.

Good luck.

[merciful]

motheroftwo

     Sorry for your diagnoses. I have a question. Did you have an EMG or biopsy that showed chronic and acute denervation and reinnervation? I have had both (each leg) and those were the results. I have fasciculations and positive sharp waves with increased duration during polyphasic on EMG. I have axonal involvement. My leg muscles and feet are stiff and weak as are my hands. Doctor's do not know what to think other than saying it may be neuromuscular. I am a 48 year old female. Today is my B-day!

[motheroftwo]

First I would like to thank everyone for their prayers & well wishes.

Pasty, at the beginning I had numbness & tingling in my legs (lap area)before i noticed the stiffness,but numbness-tingling has subsided over the last several yrs.

Wmac, the stiffness (increased muscle tone)came & progressed, I have never tried or taken Tylenol or aspirin.

[wmac]

Real quick, I was just wonder when you started getting the stiffness, did it come and go or was it here to stay and just got worse over time? Also, did tylenol or asprin help in the begining or not?
wmac

[motheroftwo]

slow movement stiffness, right no pain apart from cramp pain.

[patsy10]

My thoughts and prayers are with you.  I sincerely hope they are wrong and you don't have really have it.  I would go to any means to find another cause for your symptoms.

Just curious, do you have numbness and tingling or just weakness and atrophy?

[patsy10]

I'm no expert but by typical I mean female, young.  It's more common in males, older.