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27, Male, unilateral weakness, body-wide fasciculations

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dylan51965
dylan51965

27, Male, approx. 5'10", 143 LBS. Complaint started 6 weeks ago. no known serious previous medical issues. Currently on propranolol 20mg (just started 3 days ago).

Quick background: I got my first Moderna on 3/11/21, and let's just say I've had a rollercoaster of quite inexplicable phenomena since then. Also, yes, I've seeked medical advice from several doctors. Just looking for more opinions as there can never be too many IMO. At one point, after experiencing what felt like sleep paralysis and mini-seizures combined (about 4-5 times) before falling back asleep, I then awoke with unilateral (right sided) weakness. This was accompanied by right eye being slightly blurry + feeling "pressure." I ended up going to the ER incase it was serious but everything came back normal. This has been accompanied by body-wide fasciculations what seems like 24,7 (however, I have had that phenomenom to a lesser extent for at least 6-8 months now).

MRI and CT were clear, though that was quite a few weeks ago now and seeing as it was immediately after presentation, it only ruled acute issues. EMG is pending for now. I've had so many blood draws and pretty much everything has come back normal (including ANA, CPK, and other specific markers).

All of my docs are perplexed and can't really explain it and they often say it's "perceived weakness" not clinical. Meaning, I feel weak but am not showing signs noticeable weakness in their little strength tests (which I think are basically useless anyways). I will say it seems that my right hand has been increasingly stubborn at doing typical tasks (brushing my teeth, writing, etc) though I'm unsure how much of my anxiety and stress is playing into that and if I'm in my head too much. It probably goes without saying, my anxiety has been through the ROOF since this all began.

After trips down Dr. Google, I've convinced myself it's got to be something awful seeing as no labs or imaging can point to a root cause yet (think ALS, PLS, pre-MS, etc).

Does anyone have any ideas as to what this might be? Am I crazy for assuming this is something like ALS? Could it be some kind of weird neuropathy? What's strange is that it's mostly just one side for the weakness. For the record, when I say weakness, my definition is an almost ticklish sensation(not pins and needles at all) and heavier feeling limbs. It feels like everything is more difficult on my right side. I should say that the sensation has sort of come and gone. My right eye isn't as pressurized feeling anymore and the weakness felt like it was almost gone several times only to return. It came roaring back about a week ago and has seemed pretty consistent (or possibly worsening).

Sorry for gigantic wall of text, just looking for any possible theories or suggestions! Thank you all.

0 likes, 2 replies

2 Replies

  • michelle70460
    michelle70460 dylan51965

    Posted

    Hi dylan. I'm going through a similar thing right now. It all started almost 3 months ago when i was brushing my hair & noticed my arm was fatiguing alot faster than usual. Then 3 weeks after that my right thigh muscle began to do a similar thing. It feels like the muscle is being overworked when in reality it isn't. If i run my thigh muscles begin to burn within seconds. Anyway, i just came back frim getting bloodwork done today actually coz my doc suspects i may have poly neuropathy. Oh goody!!! I also went down the ALS rabbit hole & i can say it's unlikely you have anything like that. 1. It's rare & even rarer at your age. I'm a 53 yr old female. 2. ALS always presents with clinical weakness such as some people may experience a footdrop whilst others may keep dropping things due to weakness in the hands. 3. ALS is more about failure rather than feel. I hope you find out what's going on but remember there are many things that could be causing this & ALS would be pretty much at the bottom of the list.

  • michelle70460
    michelle70460 dylan51965

    Posted

    Sorry to post again but i forgot to ask in the last post. When you say that your hand/ arm is being more stubborn when brushing your teeth. Do you mean your hand/ arm is fatiguing quicker than usual?? Just curious.

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