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Are Headaches, Fatigue And Blurry Vision Indicative Of ALS?
Question: 'm scared I have ALS....Symptoms stated 7 years ago headaches, fatigue, and vision changes. In February
Let me be more specific:
Symptoms that began 2011:
1. Bad headaches sometimes 4 to 7 times a week.
2. Lump feeling in throat would last a couple of weeks then go away for a month or two.
3. Vision problems at times blurry.
4. Extreme fatigue.
Year 2013:
Bone, joint, muscle aches.come and go but especially in mornings.
Lower back pain.comes and goes
Lower legs calf area on both legs would feel numb at times come and go.
Bad tennis elbow diagnosed that lasted for 6 months that went away.
Year 2015
Muscle twitches or spasm that come and go especially in upper legs, and on biceps on both arms predominately on right and at times wake me from sleep. But stop if I push on change limb elevation. Come and go.
Arms fall asleep as if I lose circulation when sleeping. Atleast 3 to 4 times a week.
Nausea especially in mornings but will come and go.
Most symptoms come and go but most of time together with other symptoms.
February 2017:
lump feeling in throat back never gone away getting worse more intense bothers me alot constantly drinking or clearing throat to try and help this.
Extremely dry throat and mouth, with itchy scratchy throat.
Light electronic shock like sensations that are in hand and legs happened several times.
Weird chest pains feel like sharp pains, sometimes accompanied by difficulty breathing.
I've been to 3 neurologist, 2 rheumatologist, 1 nephrologist.
Had 3 MRI'S first in 2013, 2015, and 2016 with and without contrast, EMG done by Baylor college of medicine 2015 and one by VA in April 2016 both good, had tons of Labs. Dexterity good, strength good, tongue function normal, can still walk on tip toes or heels. Normal routine just lasted 8 hours coaching a track meet in XXXXXXX heat. Nothing diagnosed pissed cause they say ANXIETY but nobody in family has ever had anxiety. But first they chrcked me for HIV, then cancer, now they are not sure. So lost having bad thoughts please people respond.
Let me be more specific:
Symptoms that began 2011:
1. Bad headaches sometimes 4 to 7 times a week.
2. Lump feeling in throat would last a couple of weeks then go away for a month or two.
3. Vision problems at times blurry.
4. Extreme fatigue.
Year 2013:
Bone, joint, muscle aches.come and go but especially in mornings.
Lower back pain.comes and goes
Lower legs calf area on both legs would feel numb at times come and go.
Bad tennis elbow diagnosed that lasted for 6 months that went away.
Year 2015
Muscle twitches or spasm that come and go especially in upper legs, and on biceps on both arms predominately on right and at times wake me from sleep. But stop if I push on change limb elevation. Come and go.
Arms fall asleep as if I lose circulation when sleeping. Atleast 3 to 4 times a week.
Nausea especially in mornings but will come and go.
Most symptoms come and go but most of time together with other symptoms.
February 2017:
lump feeling in throat back never gone away getting worse more intense bothers me alot constantly drinking or clearing throat to try and help this.
Extremely dry throat and mouth, with itchy scratchy throat.
Light electronic shock like sensations that are in hand and legs happened several times.
Weird chest pains feel like sharp pains, sometimes accompanied by difficulty breathing.
I've been to 3 neurologist, 2 rheumatologist, 1 nephrologist.
Had 3 MRI'S first in 2013, 2015, and 2016 with and without contrast, EMG done by Baylor college of medicine 2015 and one by VA in April 2016 both good, had tons of Labs. Dexterity good, strength good, tongue function normal, can still walk on tip toes or heels. Normal routine just lasted 8 hours coaching a track meet in XXXXXXX heat. Nothing diagnosed pissed cause they say ANXIETY but nobody in family has ever had anxiety. But first they chrcked me for HIV, then cancer, now they are not sure. So lost having bad thoughts please people respond.
Brief Answer:
ALS unlikely.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for using HCM.
I have read your question and understand your concerns.
Most of ALS patients worsen within 5 years of symptoms onset and one of the prominent neurological signs of ALS is progressive muscles weakness.
So, in my opinion, yours is not a typical case of ALS since 7 years passed and you didn't notice any muscles weakness.
Symptoms and issues you describe may be related to anxiety, but before to be sure about this, conditions that may cause similar symptoms should be excluded entirely.
Multiple sclerosis, for example, may result in such periodic symptoms flare up and remission, but since MRI's were clear, this remains only a probable possibility, low blood levels of vitamin B12, thyroid gland dysfunction also may cause atypical neurological symptoms.
I would say that there is need for a couple of other tests to be done in order to
get a complete understanding of your condition.
These tests include spinal tap about oligoclonal bands, blood levels of vitamin B12, thyroid gland function tests and evoked potentials.
If these tests will or were resulted negative, anxiety remains the main suspected diagnosis, and you have to deal with it.
Hope you found the answer helpful.
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Take care.
ALS unlikely.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for using HCM.
I have read your question and understand your concerns.
Most of ALS patients worsen within 5 years of symptoms onset and one of the prominent neurological signs of ALS is progressive muscles weakness.
So, in my opinion, yours is not a typical case of ALS since 7 years passed and you didn't notice any muscles weakness.
Symptoms and issues you describe may be related to anxiety, but before to be sure about this, conditions that may cause similar symptoms should be excluded entirely.
Multiple sclerosis, for example, may result in such periodic symptoms flare up and remission, but since MRI's were clear, this remains only a probable possibility, low blood levels of vitamin B12, thyroid gland dysfunction also may cause atypical neurological symptoms.
I would say that there is need for a couple of other tests to be done in order to
get a complete understanding of your condition.
These tests include spinal tap about oligoclonal bands, blood levels of vitamin B12, thyroid gland function tests and evoked potentials.
If these tests will or were resulted negative, anxiety remains the main suspected diagnosis, and you have to deal with it.
Hope you found the answer helpful.
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Take care.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Kampana
I've had 2 emg...they see no reason to do another as per file attachef
Brief Answer:
Different tests from EMG-s.
Detailed Answer:
Welcome back.
I examined the EMG you uploaded since the first conversation, other tests I mentioned are different from EMG-s and specific for certain conditions.
However, if your Doctor remains sure that there is no need to have other tests, consider being treated about anxiety by consulting with a Psychologist.
Hope I helped you.
In good health.
Different tests from EMG-s.
Detailed Answer:
Welcome back.
I examined the EMG you uploaded since the first conversation, other tests I mentioned are different from EMG-s and specific for certain conditions.
However, if your Doctor remains sure that there is no need to have other tests, consider being treated about anxiety by consulting with a Psychologist.
Hope I helped you.
In good health.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Answered by
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