could this be ALS?? please help - Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Message Board

scheelstephanie · 09-09-2003, 10:29 AM

Hi,

I am a 21 yr. old female, with generalized muscle weakness all over, especially in my thighs, but also prominent in my upper arms. I have a buzzing feeling most of the time throughout my arms and legs. When I go to bed, my legs sometimes feel like they are vibrating, twitching, or minor tremoring. Muscle weakness has progressed for about past month or 2. Symptoms are bilateral. Does this sound like ALS? Please respond.

Thankyou,

Stephanie

slaughter17 · 09-09-2003, 10:51 AM

Welcome!
You know, it can be anything. Some of your symptoms sound like ALS and many, many other diseases. ALS is the master of mimics. It has the same symptoms of a lot of disorders. Have you seen a doctor about this? You may have a long road ahead of you with making the diagnoses. You say you are 21. ALS doesn't typically strike people that young. But, it has before. With the diagnoses becoming more common it may be starting to. When did your symptoms first appear? If you read all the posts on this board you will find out a lot of information that people have posted on ALS. If you have any ?'s just ask us. All of us here know so much about ALS now that we could probalby pass as a ALS specialist. Has anyone in your family that you know of had ALS? Well I pray that you find your answer.

pauline38 · 09-09-2003, 08:56 PM

Stephanie,
Did a neurologist examine you and tell you that you have generalized weakness or do you just feel weak? This is important because what is perceived by the patient to be weakness is not always clinical weakness that would lead to the diagnosis of ALS. You should have an EMG and MRI for peace of mind like I did. I was having muscle twitches all over (still am after 9 months) and what I felt was weakness, however, when the neurologist did his exam he said he found no weakness. MS is a much more likely diagnosis, my sister has it. There are new effective drugs to manage it and you can still live a full active life.