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.

[motheroftwo]

Hi, Yes in my case both hands developed stiffness at the same time but atrophy developed at different stages, I feel stiffer more in the mornings. No puffiness feeling.

Yes the thenar muscles, wasting of the palm & thenar look like this http://medicine.ucsd.edu/clinicalmed/extremities-left-thenar-wasting.jpg

Severe atrophy looks like this http://www.spectroscopynow.com/ftp_images/2X6-hand.jpg

good luck

[Warrior47]

Thanks for your answer. I have some more questions and will really appreciate if you could take some more time to answer those:


Were both the hands affected at the same time? Was stiffness worst in the mornings or did it stay all the time? You said atrophy moved to your thumb palm side up, do you mean the thenar muscle? Did you have a kind of feeling of puffiness in the hands? Atrophy in palm, how did it look like?
Sorry, I am asking so many questions. I guess I am very scared.

Take care.
Jossan

[motheroftwo]

My hands started with stiffness on opening & clenching hand shut, followed by atrophy in between my thumb and index finger(as you described)then atrophy started near my thumb (palm side up)and my palms, then went onto the back of my hand.
No aches or pains apart from cramps, I do now have problems with wrists weakness due to forearm atrophy.

when i make a coffee, putting coffee & sugar in a cup is kinda awkward as my wrist/hand shakes & I have to guild the spoon hand with my other hand to prevent it shaking.

good luck. :-)

[motheroftwo]

My neuro first dxed me with PLS, I wasn't convinced because i started showing signs of atrophy in my hands, I asked my neuro to refer me to a als specialist whom confirmed my suspicions of als.

I dont believe i have als but it could be my way of coping, i did have a Lyme's test a few years back & it came back negative, the test was just a normal blood test through my GP. I have however asked my GP to refer me to a Lyme's disease specialist & he is in the process of doing that. I know I'm grasping at straws & its a stab in the dark but else is one to do, i refuse to sit back & die.

To wmac: what is clonus ? An abnormality in neuromuscular activity characterized by rapidly alternating muscular contraction and relaxation.

[Warrior47]

I admire your courage and positive attitude and sincerely wish you all the best.

I have some health issues of my own and I hope you can answer the below questions:

What exactly were early signs of atrophy in the hands? Did the muscle between thumb and index finger shorten (atrophy?) first? Were the hands stiff and aching? Did the muscles between knucles on the outside of palm ache, specially when lifting? Was there any problem with wrists? Did the arms shake while lifting e.g a frypan?

Thanks for taking your time and all the best once again.

Jossan

[wmac]

When your talking about stiffness that means hard to move??? And no pain right?
wmac