I have objective signs on exam of spastic legs, clonus in legs, increased muscle tone all over, and hyperreflexia. They are not really weak. Subjectively, the legs spasm, feel tight, tire easily, get sore, twitch, and feel strange to walk. This started no more than 2 weeks ago (though the inc. muscle tone was there 6 weeks ago) I also have parasthesias all over the body - arms, legs, face - tingling, burning, and numbness (started 6 weeks ago). Both brain and cervical and thoracic MRIs are normal. Symptoms seem to be progressing rapidly- my arms in the last day or two feel heavy and are hard to left and bend. During the night, the symtpoms are at their worst- i feel like i can't move very well, and hard to open mouth and open and close hands.
THE QUESTION IS: CAN THIS BE ANYTHING OTHER THAN SOMETHING SERIOUS AND PROGRESSIVE that will lead to paralysis and death? I know these are upper motor neuron signs, which I can't seem to find a benign cause for. I have also been worked up for B-12, which is at the high end of normal, and thyroid. SEd rate and white cell count have alsobeen normal so far. I think temp. is going up some now though to 99.4 basal. ANA is negative, as is RF and anti SS and DS DNA. I suspect an EMG is next, but i would still like to know from an outside source what some of the possible causes of upper motor neuron signs (along with the sensory signs). ALS usually doesn't give sensory signs that I know of. (I am a 43 year old female with a 10 year history of extreme fatigue, some elelvated body temp,and nightime myoclonus). Any info. greatly appreciated!