Hi everyone I am new here and I think I posted my first question in the wrong section, so I will repost here, first for 9 months or so I have been having some very scary problems and am afraid something really bad is going on, as I said it started 8 or 9 months ago with numbness between my second and third toe on my left foot about 4 months later or so the numbness spread from my toes to my left leg where it was burning and numb the burning would sometimes go away when I sat down, then it went into my right toes then right leg, about 2 or 3 months later the numbness went Into both my arms at the same point in time, now I have twitching in legs and arms and numbness in legs and arms never go away. I have seen a neurologist, he did an EMG which was normal along with many blood test to test for many things autoimmune being one of the tests, all came back normal, on Tuesday of this week the neuro Doc did a spinal tap and took more blood do not have those results yet. I started gettting on the Internet and really freaked myself out reading about ALS, I read for almost 5 days on that disease, and convinced myself that now my arms are weak(don't know if they are or not,does that make any sense?) Anyway any help would be appreciated I am very worked up and stressed out over all of this. Ya all here are so nice and helpful to each other so I am hoping someone has some good advice for me besides stop looking on the Internet, my friends and family have already scolded me on that one. Thank you, Jan

I have had and still am going through that scare, as my motor neuropathy will always have that motor neuron disease possiblility tagged on to it even thought docs say unlikely. Docs can never completely rule it out for me, CYA legalese, I am getting used to it.

If you EMG is normal you do not have ALS. Twitiching or fasiculations can be caused by any number of conditions including PN, spinal, endocrine conditions. Exercise, anxiety, electrolyte imbalances can make them worse. ALS is a disease of the motor neurons: weakness and muscle atrophy (there are many other neuropathies that present like this as well, thus my condition). It rarely, if ever presents initially with numbness, burning or sensory nerve involvement. It usually does not present bilaterally at the same time involving the entire limb (foot or hand moving up is usual progression). ALS is diagnosed after all possible other causes have been ruled out, upper and lower motor neuron symptoms are present, and EMG abnormality is in 4 limbs.

I made the mistake of reading too much on the net and scaring myself beyond belief. Now I refuse to read anymore about it. Many, many other conditions can cause your symptoms.

dear worrier,
as i too was recently was given the news after 2 cervical neck surgeries, sending me back for yet another emg afterwards because my surgeon could not explain why the pain continues. well, the report shows no muscle damage but positive for nerve damage both arms and legs. and in hind sight i do remember some numbing and pain, burning, tingling and just some mild symptoms thinking it was just that falling asleep body part. not so. i oooooh so know that scared felling when YOU know something is up. years of these symptoms were present back in my late thirties i am fifty years young, i fell the prime of my life is being stripped from me. then told i have a few things going on at once. HELLO NEW WORLD. what i truly want to get out, is try not to worry. my family said look for positive information, it isn't easy for me to do many things as i once did. once a wild horse now tamed. i worry i will DIE if they can't get to the bottom of things, so many things at once. give me a break. then i think, did i somehow do this? thank goodness for my psychiatrist. as i try writing you the tears just keep coming as i wait for my meds to kick in. peripheral neuropathy and fibromyalgia, is what i wake up with. and know being tested for hypoglycemia. symptoms are very similar to menopause for the exception of unequal pupils and dips in blood pressure, so know i prick myself to draw blood and test it. how about i wrap it up by saying "try not being frighten" as you move forward getting at the bottom of your situation. i wish you peace in your journey and much support. this forum is one of the few places i can now come to and share and no i am not alone and in return given great advice eyes that listen. take care.