I know I shouldn't "self" diagnose myself, but I'm trying to find some answers here. About 8 weeks ago or so, I spent some long hours working on a roof on a very hot day. The next day, I felt shaky, with alot of muscle twitches all over. Since then, I have had a general weak feeling in the legs and arms, and the body as a whole. Currently, my symptoms are small muscle twitches in the legs, arms, back, chest, just about everywhere. Sometimes a tingling, or burning in my feet and arms or hands. Other then the shaky feeling and muscle twitches, I have noticed no other symptoms such as cramping, or dropping items or tripping and falling. My muscle tone seems to be the same, and range of movement also. My ability to lift and walk/run seem unaffected.

I am currently seeing a chiropractor for pain in the lower back and between the shoulder blades. It seems to have helped a little. Also, I just have had a complete physical, and my doctor did not notice anything out of the ordinary with my muscles and the abiity to move them. He has put me on Effexor XR for anxiety and depression. Still waiting for the blood work.

So here I am. I am a little concerned about some type of neuromusclular disease. MS, MD, ALS, or others. Should I be? Could these symptoms be related to stress, pinched nerves in the back, anxiety? The more I read, and research, to more I see symptoms that match what I feel, and the more I worry. Would a visit to a neurologist be in order? I would assume if my doctor suspected anything, he would have suggested it.

I should add that im 38 years old, in relativly good health, aside from alergies of all sorts, work out 2 or three times per week, although not as of late simply because I just can't seem to get myself to do it. No familly history of any diseases, other then my mother who has diabetes


Thank you for any advice you can give.

Mike.

Hi.

I have had the same symptoms for the past month, after moving into a new home, and doing some serious scrubbing. (that left my muscles very sore).

I have my MRI tomorrow. I am sure that I have either ALS, MS or something worse. I know--I am not a doctor so how could I be sure. I have all of the symptoms, and they are getting worse everyday. My elbows and hands cramp all of the time. I get cramps in my calves just walking around the house. I have occasional numbness in my arms and legs. I am so tired of the pain, and not being able to take care of my kids. I just hope that, whatever this is, I am able to live a long, healthy, happy and active life. My children need me.

All I can say is...see a doctor. From what I have heard out here, a lot of illnesses can mimic MS. I had the routine blood tests to rule out some things. You have to do the same.

I'll send prayers to you, if you send them back to me.

Hi,
Im 17 and scared myself to near-sickness trying to self-diagnose myself with ALS. I got the odd muscle twitch every now and then, and after reading about ALS the next day it got amazingly worse, along with general shakiness. Since I've started back at college this has generally gone away, apart from the odd twitch and tingle, which always become more frequent when I think about them.
I have also been feeling general weakness in my limbs, although I only ever feel this if Ive been doing some exercise such as lifting heavy objects, and it usually occurs after my muscles have been aching.

However, I too have a full muscular range, and I believe the "weakness" feeling you are suffering from may be from the work you were doing. As far as I know, if you are suffering from true muscular weakness, you will find it difficult/impossible to move in ways you could before.

I'm seeing the doctor anyway tomorrow to see what he says.

BoneyCork~

Post back about your appt. and good luck my friend. My bets are you don't have ALS http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

How bout a syndrome called benign fasciculation syndrome= random twitching. Ask your doc about this one!

Renee

I appreciate all of your comments. The more I read and read and read, the more I do NOT think I have ALS. I don't show any signs of muscle atrophy, which if I understand correctly, would be present before any real symptoms show up such as cramping. I am going to give my chiro another week, and then see a neurologist.

I appreciate all of your comments. The more I read and read and read, the more I do NOT think I have ALS. I don't show any signs of muscle atrophy, which if I understand correctly, would be present before any real symptoms show up such as cramping. I am going to give my chiro another week, and then see a neurologist.

Ok I mentioned everything to the doctor. He wasnt my regular doctor, which kinda helped cos I dont really like my regular one.

Anyway, he seems to think its anxiety, and has put me on a short course of mild beta-blockers. I just hope they do something. It seems neuromuscular problems seem to have so many overlapping and vague symptoms, and things like anxiety also share similar ones.

So if you end up anxious about a neuromuscular problem, you end up shooting yourself in the foot.

BoneyCork~

Anxiety was my diagnosis too!!

Our bodies can do extremely bizarre things when the mind is involved.

http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/t_up.gif

Renee

thunderhill~

Twitching can be caused by many conditions. I twitch allover and my diagnosis was benign fasciculation syndrome/anxiety. I've had an emg/ncv with a neuromuscular specialist that trained in an ALS clinic for 3 years. He's sees many twitchers that don't have an MND. I've met people in our age group..I'm 39, that have twitched for 20 years.

If you're still worried get and emg/ncv. This test is for muscle weakness and nerve damage. It will ease your mind when the test comes back completely normal.

Renee http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/wave.gif

I have had enough trouble with doctors, trying to say I had ALS.I had 3 ankle injuries in a year and I developed, Foot Drop and Ankle Instability. I went and had tests at the hospital. The MRI was clear and had a nerve conduction test. I knew all along it was a nerve injury. So I went on holiday to Turkey and in a wheel chair. I found a private clinic and they found it was my Sciatic Nerve. I come back home and go for a revisit to my hospital and still say I have ALS. ALS does not have Sciatic Nerve lesions, and also wanting me to start Riluzole. I said to be put this medication
is not right. Diagnosis of ALS requires the demonstration of clinical signs affecting both the brain and spinal cord. I went back to my GP and he agreed to another referral to a Foot Specialist as he did not agree with the hospital.

Ok, Just had my visit with a neuro. He did all of the physical exams, and really didnt find much. Strength ok, coordination ok, and so on. He did not order a EMG as he didnt find anything that warrented it. But he is going to do a MRI looking for Spinal Stenosis. He says "you do NOT have ALS". Kind of young still, no clinical weakness, or signs of atrophy. So... Thats great news. Although, I suppose, looking backwards, and reading more, I never had it. Amazing how the mind works isnt it.

Thanks All.

That is gret news to hear that you don't have ALS!

I hope you can find an answer soon to your symptoms. Let us know what happens when you have your MRI. good luck!

Went for another MRI friday of the cervical spine and lumbar area because the first ones didnt turn out like they really wanted. While laying in the machine, during a couple of scans, I had a set of muscles, on my left flank, just under the rib cage twitch and jump like crazy on exhale. Wierd!! And I dont mean twitch twitch, I mean jump and dance! Never did it before on that area, and hasnt since. Anyone else ever experience this? Not freaked out about it, it was just really wierd. Anyways, my neuro thinks I have some kinda of spinal stenosis. Time will tell.

That is so strange, because I had an MRI of my lower back this year and the same thing happend to me! I thought I was crazy. The MRI came out normal. The doctors thought I was making things up when I told them I had twitching all round my stomache area, especailly below my rib cage. I think it is normal for that to happen. I hope so anyway. It hasn't happend to me since then. maybe it is just a reaction. Not sure.