Als symptoms

[Sarah0192]

I couldn’t find a relevant group to post so I hope someone here can help. I’ve been having some symptoms for about 8 weeks now. I had a hospital stay and took oxycodone for two weeks a few days after being homeI had a headache and get off balance for weeks, with strange sensations down my left arm, face and leg on and off throughout the day, tingling and like I couldn’t feel them there mentally, then the back of my tongue felt strange when talking. My anxiety got increasing worse I kept symptom checking obsessively. Now I have twitching all over mainly left side but sometimes right, even in my lips. Now my toungue feels even more weird almost stiff and I feel I can’t pronounce some words properly especially my S’s. My left arm hurts when lifting heavy and my pinky and ring finger feel a little stiff. My partner thinks it’s all anxiety and is telling me I’m fine but I know something isn’t right. Could all of this be anxiety and if it was als would these symptoms be progressing so quickly, the last week my tongue/speech symptoms seem so much worse I can’t relax at all I’m having multiple panic attacks daily, I’ve had bloods and all is normal except low ferritin and I’ve been refereed to a neurologist. I have children and I am so so scared it’s als and I’m going to die 😢

[Leroy_HUL]

I hope you find an answer soon, Sarah. In the meantime, please try to relax. It could be any number of things. Spinal issues seem to be the most common diagnosis. A good neurologist will get to the bottom of it.

I share many of the same symptoms down to the stiff pinky (pretty sure it is osteoarthritis). I don't have speech issues, however. A few things the neurologist threw out there for me were a vitamin deficiency (B12), HSP, and less likely, PLS or brain damage. Spinal issues have been ruled out. Some doctors think PLS is on the spectrum with ALS but generally progresses much slower.

I might be a little ahead of you on the neurologist. The neurologist will quickly rule out some issues for you. He'll likely check you joint movements and reflexes and perform a number of easy tests in the office. He'll likely order an EMG. I've had two and will likely undergo a third. Next up for me is a brain MRI. If nothing there, then a DNA check for inherited diseases.