ALS Concerns...Hear me out on this one.

[Concerned-pa 17]

So, I’m super anxious about either MS or ALS. I go in for a brain MRI tomorrow for the former, but the latter has me concerned as well. My original symptoms started with tingling in my feet and arms (arms at night mostly, but better during the day). Then all of sudden, a few days later, when lifting, my left bicep felt strained. I had it checked out and it doesn’t appear to be a muscle/tendon issue. It feels tight and burns like a post workout strain. Then, comes the perceived weakness in that arm. It feels tired and weak. Almost shaky like. I can still grip things and do pushups, etc, but I feel like ALS can start out slow. I see most on here reassure posters that ALS is a sudden obvious symptom, but it’d documented that Lou Gehrig played an entire season with symptoms before officially being diagnosed. I also read a personal experience story of someone with ALS that started slow with muscle twitches that he ignored for a while, and it took sometime for it to progress.

So now I’m super afraid that my bicep issue is one that could be progressing eventually to ALS. There doesn’t seem to be another explanation for it, since it’s not muscle (but feels like a muscle strain).

What are your thoughts?

[clearhead 129]

Sorry, but I’m going to believe the experts (doctors) over stories you read on the Internet.

[Concerned-pa 17]

9 minutes ago, clearhead said:

Sorry, but I’m going to believe the experts (doctors) over stories you read on the Internet.

Is that the consensus from Doctors? I'm not trying to be smart as I haven't seen a neurologist yet.

[clearhead 129]

Yes. Als is accompanied with clinical weakness, not perceived weakness.

[Concerned-pa 17]

And of course I just googled brisk reflexes since my Chiropractor said they were uniform, but brisk. It says this often a sign of a neurological disorder like ALS!!!!

[Iugrad91 501]

First rule is to stay off Google. Make an appt with your primary doc, don’t let Google replace a doctors advice. It’s often wrong or misleading.

[Concerned-pa 17]

MRI was clean.

[DoxieMoxie 316]

As I expected.

BTW, you mention brisk reflexes.  Lots of normal people have brisk reflexes.  It means nothing.  

[Concerned-pa 17]

1 hour ago, DoxieMoxie said:

As I expected.

BTW, you mention brisk reflexes.  Lots of normal people have brisk reflexes.  It means nothing.  

Yeah, I need to stay away from Google. I do wonder about my random bicep cramping/burning. It happens mostly with my left, but happens with my right occasionally.  Plus they just feel as strong as usual. Plus they tingle (my arms/hands) when lying down at certain angles.

[Leah1976 301]

I am glad you MRI was clean... Do you have tension in your neck and shoulders? I do, and sometimes my arms, specifically my bicep can feel tired for no reason. Try to relax now, your symptoms will now go away!

[Concerned-pa 17]

13 minutes ago, Leah1976 said:

I am glad you MRI was clean... Do you have tension in your neck and shoulders? I do, and sometimes my arms, specifically my bicep can feel tired for no reason. Try to relax now, your symptoms will now go away!

My chiropractor said I have a significant amount of tension and spasming in my shoulders, traps, and neck.

[clearhead 129]

1 hour ago, Concerned-pa said:

Yeah, I need to stay away from Google. I do wonder about my random bicep cramping/burning. It happens mostly with my left, but happens with my right occasionally.  Plus they just feel as strong as usual. Plus they tingle (my arms/hands) when lying down at certain angles.

Probably a pinched nerve. Talk to your doctor. I was experiencing tingling and weakness in my right arm and hand. Doctor referred me to a physical therapist. The muscles in my traps and shoulder were so tight, it was causing my neurological symptoms. After six weeks of PT my symptoms went away.

[Concerned-pa 17]

So it's safe to say if there is burning and/or tingling (agravated by position and lifting objects), it's not an early sign of ALS?

[Dotdispenser 12]

ALS is never a sensory disease--ever. Sensory issues are one of the few things that ALS never, EVER occurs alongside.

[Papyapa 1]

Can ALS be diagnosed Via MRI?

[Concerned-pa 17]

9 hours ago, Papyapa said:

Can ALS be diagnosed Via MRI?

No. Not that I'm aware of.

[anxietyprince 4]

On 3/14/2019 at 6:04 PM, Concerned-pa said:

Yeah, I need to stay away from Google. I do wonder about my random bicep cramping/burning. It happens mostly with my left, but happens with my right occasionally.  Plus they just feel as strong as usual. Plus they tingle (my arms/hands) when lying down at certain angles.

Dude you have 0 symptoms to be worried about. My left hand/arm is weak and gets tired/tingles in the hand. I should be concerned - not you

[Concerned-pa 17]

7 minutes ago, anxietyprince said:

Dude you have 0 symptoms to be worried about. My left hand/arm is weak and gets tired/tingles in the hand. I should be concerned - not you

Well that's actually what happens to mine. Burning off and on during the day. More so when doing lifts (actual lifts or just lifting my kids). Tingling happens at night.

[anxietyprince 4]

1 minute ago, Concerned-pa said:

Well that's actually what happens to mine. Burning off and on during the day. More so when doing lifts (actual lifts or just lifting my kids). Tingling happens at night.

Burning is not a symptom. No sensory feelings is a symptom. Especially if it’s only happening periodically. Mine is all the time

[anxietyprince 4]

On 3/14/2019 at 7:39 PM, clearhead said:

Probably a pinched nerve. Talk to your doctor. I was experiencing tingling and weakness in my right arm and hand. Doctor referred me to a physical therapist. The muscles in my traps and shoulder were so tight, it was causing my neurological symptoms. After six weeks of PT my symptoms went away.

What all symptoms did you have? I have very similar, my wrist is stiff though as well. Is that a symptom of ALS?

[Concerned-pa 17]

So I went out today and cleaned up in the yard and my right quad felt so tired (my whole body did to an extent) and this was after very low level work for me (picking up sticks and walking 70yds to our woods and back up again a few times). I'm relatively in shape, 34 years old, so this wasn't normal. It wasn't as if my leg was failing, but definitely fatigued and tired. Then after coming in I feel like I'm just exhausted and my leg just feels tired. Is ALS always a sudden attack or can it be gradual?

[anxietyprince 4]

9 minutes ago, Concerned-pa said:

So I went out today and cleaned up in the yard and my right quad felt so tired (my whole body did to an extent) and this was after very low level work for me (picking up sticks and walking 70yds to our woods and back up again a few times). I'm relatively in shape, 34 years old, so this wasn't normal. It wasn't as if my leg was failing, but definitely fatigued and tired. Then after coming in I feel like I'm just exhausted and my leg just feels tired. Is ALS always a sudden attack or can it be gradual?

Hell if I know brother. I am 21 and have had a weak left hand for 3 weeks. Your symptoms are all over the place, you’re fine. You were blessed and have a family man, use your energy on them - you have no symptoms.

[ZenCube 59]

Beware, rhe ALS rabbit hole is one of the deepest, darkest, loneliest you'll find on the health anxiety domain. It goes far deeper than even the c-word one. You REALLY don't want to go there.

Oh, and the first step to this pit is always Google. You have been warned buddy...

[Concerned-pa 17]

1 hour ago, ZenCube said:

Beware, rhe ALS rabbit hole is one of the deepest, darkest, loneliest you'll find on the health anxiety domain. It goes far deeper than even the c-word one. You REALLY don't want to go there.

Oh, and the first step to this pit is always Google. You have been warned buddy...

Seemingly good advice. I will try my best. I’m pretty sure it’s not ALS, but of course, my mind wonders why I just feel “off.”

[anxietyprince 4]

1 hour ago, ZenCube said:

Beware, rhe ALS rabbit hole is one of the deepest, darkest, loneliest you'll find on the health anxiety domain. It goes far deeper than even the c-word one. You REALLY don't want to go there.

Oh, and the first step to this pit is always Google. You have been warned buddy...

& I’m dang near the bottom of that pit right now. Hand strength just feels week & wobbly compared to right. So scared - only 21 - if you have a family cherish it & love them while you can. I’m terrified I might not even be able to have one with my girlfriend - even that just seeing my parents deal with something like that. I’m reaching out to ANYONE who’s has similar symptoms in one limb as well as twitches. The twitches have gotten a tad better through the past couple weeks. Just terrified.