1. Community
  2. Brain and nerves
  3. Neurological Disorders

Do I have ALS

Posted , 4 users are following.

Sjrunner1992
Sjrunner1992

Recently I’ve been scared of possibly having ALS.

It started in mid October. I had twitching all over my body. This happen just when I ran a 74 mile week, which I felt tired for weeks and it made sense because high mileage gets you tired.

But then I had some left arm problems. Left arm (bicep)felt tired and in the morning when I wake up, I felt tingling and numbness in my pinky, ring and half of middle finger. So I went to urgent care and they can tell it’s a nerve injury. Doctor sent referral for neurologist and told me to get wrist splint and ergonomic evaluation. As a result, improvements to left arm and fingers have been made, but can still feel the numbness in ring finger. One factor could be ballroom dancing.

Recently, I’ve been getting eye twitching and being able to mispronouce words. Idk if that is slurring, but I think I might have slurred. Sometimes I can say words correctly on second attempt. E.g Can’t say Cavaliers correctly after saying Cleveland. I have Appt next Friday and I’m scared.

There’s hope because I been running fast. 16:14 5k on thanksgiving, which is s sec away from pb. Also been running low 7:00 for all my runs, while before Thanksgiving I was runnning 7:30s. I’m not bragging my running accomplishments, but it’s just to prove that Im not regressing. Also do lifts and been able to complete workouts, but doing it with lighter weights.. though haven’t tried it with normal weights.

Do I have ALS? If not, what could I have?

0 likes, 16 replies

16 Replies

Next
  • Sjrunner1992
    Sjrunner1992

    Posted

    To add more info:

    Twitching occurs when I’m at rest.

    I do wobble side to side sometimes and this started in October. I’m able to protect myself from falling.

  • allan16910
    allan16910 Sjrunner1992

    Posted

    not enough symptons to know       i was only diagnosed ALS  after issues starting in 1999.     there no clear test for ALS        i had idiopathic peripheral neuropathy and motor neuron disease unspecified for 16 years because 9 neurologists in 4 states plus a dozen other professionals find nothing abnormal except losing all muscles working.   good luck    i was soccer ref 23 years,  backpacker, scout master   etc   no health issues 
    • Sjrunner1992
      Sjrunner1992 allan16910

      Posted

      I do not see any muscle atrophy. My twitches last for a second or at worse less than 30 seconds.
  • amburr99
    amburr99 Sjrunner1992

    Posted

    Do you have any other symptoms besides those you mentioned ? Do you feel okay besides these symptoms ?
    • Sjrunner1992
      Sjrunner1992 amburr99

      Posted

      So on Friday I ate tofu and steak, my left eye felt better. When I’m running, I felt Spasms in my shins. They last for a second and then it’s fine. It happens when I’m running on uneven terrain. 

      My hands especially fingers felt weird that I have to give myself chiropractor treatment.

      Today I ran a 10k race as a pacer. For the most part it felt easy. Then today I was working around the house and I felt something weird in left foot, but I’m still able to walk, squat, tip toe, lift toes. Lifted heavy stuff into attic and it didn’t feel like I did a chore.

      Overall, I felt fine. Not feeling tired as I type this. Maybe something is low. Maybe I have too much stress. Maybe it’s sports related. For my arm, I think it has to do with my iPhone. 

    • Sjrunner1992
      Sjrunner1992 amburr99

      Posted

      Also. Sometimes my knee gets stiff for a second.

      I took off my sock and I can clearly see my veins on the left foot than on the right foot.

  • amburr99
    amburr99 Sjrunner1992

    Posted

    Hm tricky. ALS is rare though. Try to do some muscle relaxation techniques.

    • Sjrunner1992
      Sjrunner1992 amburr99

      Posted

      I’m thinking my foot could be circulation. 

      We’ll see how my appt goes. I did went t deep tissue massage. My left arm and hand felt better. 

  • amburr99
    amburr99 Sjrunner1992

    Posted

    Yes it could very well circulation problems. I think I have circulation problems and I get some of your symptoms. Yet I have lyme disease I think and have multiple problems. So twitching ad shaking weakness and numbness we part of my daily life.
    • Sjrunner1992
      Sjrunner1992 amburr99

      Posted

      I took out the trash and I felt fine. My hands felt weak, but it's not the clinical weakness people say. Tested out lifting my hands, arms ,legs and there is no droop.

      Does twitching happen to everyone? The numbness in my finger might have to do with improper phone usage and sleep position.

  • Sjrunner1992
    Sjrunner1992

    Posted

    Update:

    For my left arm, it turns out that it was a pinched nerve in my neck C7-C8. Doctor conducted a EMG and saw different results. It's getting better after chiropractic treatment and some stretches for the nerve.

    However, I'm suffering from hand issues and foot issues. Last week, I  was driving and all the sudden I  felt something in my right hand. IDK what it is, but I  've been checking to see if there was weakness. At one point in time, I did felt it, but afterwards it was fine. I can still open sugar packets and button shirts. Ever since that happened, I've been feeling pain in both hands and felt something weird in both feet and hands. In fact it happened today during my track workout on my left foot. It felt like my nerves have been dislocated and been trying to put it back in place (maybe circulation....?)

    I am planning to see doctor soon. In the meantime, please help me.

    • amburr99
      amburr99 Sjrunner1992

      Posted

      Thanks for the update, Looks like your getting somewhere. Your feet and hands sound like circulation problems. Check out Peripheral neuropathy. 
    • Sjrunner1992
      Sjrunner1992 amburr99

      Posted

      I hope it is circulation problems. I have too much to live for. If so, what’s the best way to cure it?  I’ve been testing hand weakness and just see in consistencies. I had the right hand tested for EMG, doctor thinks it’s stress from work. 

      Another update, the twitching doesn’t occur much now. I think its because of poor diet when I exercise. Started eating protein, iron, etc.

    • amburr99
      amburr99 Sjrunner1992

      Posted

      Yeah it could be the could be the circulation or vitamin deficiency look into it. Fix your diet.
Back to top
Next

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.