can ALS set in this rapidly? - Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Message Board

dakotaftball · 07-22-2003, 01:50 PM

Hi - thank you in advance for all replies. About three months ago, I started having some cramping in my left calf - eventually the sciatic nerve became irritated. I saw a chiro with no relief and progressive weakness in calf and toes. Then started the nerve twitching only in that leg. Over days the nerve twitches "moved" up the left side of my spine all the way to my head and eventually encompassed my whole body. Along with this, I felt so sick in my muscles (like the worst flu ever) that I thought I was dying. Now, much of the time the twitches are relentless - and I also have internal buzzing along my spinal cord that affects my internal organs so badly that they cause me dry heaves almost nightly. (My symptoms are almost always more severe at night.) I am not sleeping more than 2 hours at a time because my nerves have gotten so sensitive that when they touch anything static for long enough (like the bed) they begin to buzz and twitch wildly - so much of my body must touch the bed to sleep that it overloads my system and I start to get literal rushes of adrenaline that wake me up. My arms and legs are becoming progressively weaker and now I have burning under my skin all over my body. I am basically disabled by this (10 weeks) and have lost 20 pounds in the last 4.

I have had normal MRI's and Brain scan, normal nerve conduction and muscle tests (but 3 weeks ago and my symptoms are far more severe now) -and normal blood tests ... all except for a positive ANA titer of 1:640. I have seen a rheumatologist but he says that my symptoms don't match Lupus exactly. Can ALS set in this quickly?

Hugs,
Kael

reneeintx · 07-22-2003, 04:33 PM

Kael~

I read your post over at *******. I have twitching and buzzing too. I've been twitching for 8 months now.

I've had an emg/ncv test. NO ALS. Have you had this test yet?

I really can't help much because I have no pain/weakness with it. I'm just here to support you and let you know you will be in my prayers tonight.

I take xanax for the twitching and it helps to some degree but for only 4 hours or so.

Please go to a neurologist that specializes in ALS, as they are more appropriate for these type symptoms. I saw a neuromuscular specialist that worked in an ALS clinic for 3 years. I'm not saying you have ALS, so don't think that for one minute. These symtoms can ressemble lots of other conditions.

Good luck to you and I hope you get an answer from the doc's soon.

here and caring,

Renee

dakotaftball · 07-22-2003, 09:00 PM

Renee -

Thank you so much for the response and support. I too took xanax, but only for a week. It also stopped my buzzin, but not all of my other symptoms, however, I didn't tolerate it well, so I went off.

Keep me posted - yes I had a muscle/nerve conduction test 3 wks ago and it was normal. I'm much weaker now though. I honestly suspect that Lupus is at the root of my problems, not ALS. There are many other things going on with me at the same time (as you could tell by my original post!)

Once again - thanks for your sweet response and my prayers and wishes are with you also!

Kim

slaughter17 · 07-25-2003, 12:45 PM

Have you been tested for MS? My Aunt and 2 of my cousins have MS, the symptoms they have are like that. The buzzing up your spine and muscle pain and weakness, and the cramping are not unusual for MS. ALS usually is not painful, excet the cramping of muscles. I would recommend for you to see someone about MS. They would have to do a spinal tap to confirm it, along with your blood work. I pray for your speedy diagnoses. Not knowing is worse than the disease itself sometimes. I hope things trun out to be something simple. Good luck keep us posted on how you are doing.

pauline38 · 09-09-2003, 09:10 PM

Kael,
At the beginning of the year I got this really weird virus. I started twitching all over my body and I could barely use my fingers to type or use a pen or climb steps for that matter. At the same time a colleague of my husband's had to leave work early because he had a virus and could not type or use his arms because they were so weak. My virus eventually went away but the twitches did not. Benign Fasciculation Syndrome causes generalized muscle twitching, cramping etc... With normal exams, this is most likely what you have.