ALS

[lisa1970]

Hi, My name is Lisa..

My story starts 2 years ago . When my symptoms began.. I initially thought I had a stroke on my left side.. My husband took me to the er and all the test came out fine..
I would say the weakness lasted about a week..
A couple months went by and then again, started having left side arm and leg weakness.. Thought maybe I was working too hard andcut back on my hours. Symptoms subsided a couple weeks later.
About 6 months later again, left side weakness, with numbness in legs..
I went to see my doctor and with the symptoms I was having, he said he suspected MS He referred me to a Nuerologist...he did the pin prick test on my left side and was amazed at how I could hardly feel anything... He examined me and tested my blood, MRI without contrast, spinal tap, And everything came out ok there.
He did an EMG on my left side... The result were All abnormal on that left side. the whole side... After that test, he told me that there is defenitley something going on...
So, his next step was to do a muscle biopsy.
AT this time, I was trying to finishing a nursing program as a Emergency Medical Tech..
SO, I postponed my appointments, which I regret today. Because My husband soon lost his job and our insurance..
So now in the last 9 months I have had some pretty bad spells. I ened up in the er 2 times, which I was kept overnight and given solu-medrol IV.. After about 3 weeks, I recover.
My spells today have gotten worse, My shoulder droops down a bit now on my left side, and at times I walk with a limp. I have alot of balance problems.(vertigo) 2 hard falls in the last 4 months. I do have some vision problems. But no blind spots.. I have had some shooting pains in my right eye. I have muscle twithes alot of the time. all over my body.
I am hoping that pretty soon I can get my insurance back, My husband was waiting to add me , but has recently had a mojor crush injury at work. So, here I am again,no insurance. I was working in the ER a couple months back. Almost had insurance there, but had to quit full time.Due to a bad spell at work...
I have decided to try to put my health first, But I don't know what to do at this point.
I am scared that it is ALS . COuld I have ALS and have these symptoms for so long... Or does anyone have any other suggestions on what this could be..
Again, I have had MRI one time of brain a year ago without contrast. Negative. Blood test a year ago were all ok... I did have one titer test come back bad, but when retested, it was ok.
SPinal tap a year ago was ok also.
The only thing showing bad during all the test last year was EMG....
Thats all the test we had gotten to until I lost my insurance...

By the way, I am New to this site. And wanted to thank anyone who could take the time to share any information.
Thank you....

[Char]

Dear Lisa: You should have all the required tests. Maybe you have MS, not ALS, or maybe something else. Hopefully nothing serious. I can't believe you can't just have the tests. I live in Canada. All Canadians are covered automatically for all medical tests and procedures, everything. Health care is a necessity. Move to Canada, if you have to! Good luck!

[UroDoc]

I agree the only way to find out is to have all the testing done. Perhaps your local hospital or regional medical center has a free or low cost clinic. Good luck

[lisa1970]

I WANTED TO POST THESE RESULTS. IF ANYONE COULD TELL ME WHAT YOU GET OUT OF THEM AS FAR AS CONNECTION WITH ALS.


RESULTS READ:::

Examination shows trace weakness on the left and lower extremity. Sensory examination is intact...


MOTOR NERVE CONDUCTION STUDIES:
the left median, peroneal, and tibial CMAP shows normal distal latency with normal amplitude and normal conduction velocity. The left ulna CMAP shows normal distal latency with normal amplitude and slowing across the elbow in the conduction velocity. The left median,ulna, left peroneal, and tibial F-Wave latencies show normal latency.

SENSORY NERVE CONDUCTION STUDIES:
The left median sensory response shows a borderline latency with normal amplitude.

A limited EMG examination was performed of the left upper and left lower extremity muscles using a disposable monopolar needle. There is noted to be chronic neurogenic changes seen in the tibials,gastrocnemius, and hamstring muscles on the left side and also seen in the FDI biceps, triceps, and adductor longus muscle.. These findings appear chronic..

IMPRESSION::: this is a abnormal EMG conduction study.
1 The findings shown on the EMG examination are suggestive of a chronic myopathic process.
2 There ia a mild left ulna entrapment neuropathy across the elbow.
3 There is mild left carpal tunnel syndrome..

RECOMMENDATION
In this patient the consideration for a muscle biopsy is needed....


If anyone can respond and let me know what they think about these readings, I would appreciate it... Thank you..... and sorry it took awhile to get it posted...