Brief Answer:
Not to worry

Detailed Answer:
Good afternoon to a fellow New Jersey-ite....well, I was born in New Brunswick at what is now called the XXXXXXX Woods XXXXXXX Medical Center.....boy if I'd've only known that I was being born at such an elite joint! HA!

I am a neurologist from the XXXXXXX OH region and understand your concerns. I see many young people (still from the ALS bucket challenge somehow) who are very concerned about the disease. However, your symptoms do not form the right rubric for the disease you are concerned about. At this point in time I can't say what your reported weakness or sensation of not being able to comfortably swallow might be, however, I am as close to 100% as possible that it's not going to turn out to be ALS...and so I would like to pass on the same reassurances that Dr. Taka did in this regard.

ALS generally is brought to medical attention by patients who have had symptoms for quite sometimes (in some cases months or years) but have simply not paid much attention to them due to how "softly and quietly" they came on. In your case you are already mentioning something to do with actual limb weakness AND swallowing problems. I generally don't see people with swallowing difficulties at least for a number of months or years until after an initial early captured diagnosis. If I already get a patient who is having swallowing difficulties it is generally, pretty out front and obvious.

Your age is clearly way out of the normal range we look for which is at the very least 55-60 and that's even a bit of a stretch. The vast majority of people don't start noticing symptoms in their gait or ability to lift things or stamina to do physical work, etc. until early to mid 60's. And so while not entirely IMPOSSIBLE for a 19 year old with ALS....I can tell you that in my 16 years of practice as a neurologist I've yet to see someone under age 48 (my youngest patient).

I would say that if you simply keep your wits about you with respect to your symptoms and track them for a few days....if things don't get better or things get worse....and if they do get worse (my prediction is swallowing would be more noticeable to you than arm weakness) then, consider a trip to your primary doctor. The first things to always work up would be considerations such as thyroid functions and other medical conditions commonly seen in cases of fatigue and weakness. Once those things have been thoroughly looked at then, a referral to a neurologist would be appropriate to perform where other sophisticated tests such as an EMG could be set up to do which would nearly RULE OUT the concern of ALS for you.

I hope this gives you a bit of an overview as to my thoughts on your situation. I very much hope that an answer is close at hand and wish you the best so you get proper help and overcome these uncomfortable feelings quickly.

I'd appreciate the favor of your providing a STAR RATING and some brief written feedback if your question has been satisfactorily answered. In addition, CLOSING THE QUERY on your end will also be most helpful.

Here is my webpage to keep me informed as to how you're doing or if you had any further questions on this or other matters:

bit.ly/drdariushsaghafi

Later

This query has required 18 minutes of physician specific time to read, research, and compile the return envoy to the patient.

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Brief Answer:
I'm glad the response made you feel better

Detailed Answer:
Glad to be of help. As you can see, Dr. Taka and I share the same opinions. If I can be of further assistance don't hesitate to write at:

bit.ly/drdariushsaghafi

If you get someone to put their finger on what this might be please keep me in the loop.


All the best.

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