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Old 11-25-2014, 10:29 PM
sb1986 sb1986 is offline
New Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 3
8 yr Member
sb1986 sb1986 is offline
New Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 3
8 yr Member
Question Worried about ALS symptoms..please help

Hello everyone,

I am 27 years old male and new to this forum. First of all, I appreciate the way PALS are helping people who are concerned or affected with ALS, despite their daily struggle. Secondly, I found this section of the forum to discuss with my symptoms, though I am aware that nobody can detect problems over internet, nevertheless...

About 6 months months back (May end) I have developed widespread twitching but more often on right arm, right thigh, right back shoulder and left arm. I visited general practitioner and he suggested me to a neurologist. I had two thorough neurological exams which was normal except grade 1 reflexes (at knees, hamstrings and Achilles as well as in upper extremities like biceps, triceps and Bronchioradialis).

Next, an EMG/NCV was performed (right deltoid, medial gastrocnemias, vastus medialis and rectus femoris) which came out to be normal (normal insertional activity, no spontaneous activity, normal motor unit action potentials with full recruitment pattern) as well. Also had MRI which was normal. This was done in August end after 3 months of symptoms. I have been given a follow up but in April 2015.

Here is what I am writing to you for :

My twitching is still there with same intensity and frequency. My question is : does normal emg (even at very early stage) rules out LMN ALS or classic case of ALS? I have no Babinski, hoffman or brisk reflexs at the the neuro exam. Nor do I feel any spasticity in limbs (but some stiffness in lower back). Does this suffices to rule out UMN predominant ALS (even at very early stage)?

Just to mention one more thing: I had talipes (club foot) surgery during childhood. Since then my legs are a bit weaker. So if I have to walked for sometime, it starts to pain and this has been there since childhood. But now even if I walk say for 15 mins (a bit quickly) at a stretch, I feel quite a pain in both the lower legs which immediately subsides if I sit down somewhere.
Does this qualifies as weakness observed in ALS? Also I have never been athletic in my life.
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