I also had twitching/cramping as my first symptoms. Then "perceived" weakness. At that time I was convinced I had a MND, but testing and multiple neurological exams has pretty much ruled it out. Later, the weakness seemed to gradually resolve - but then the burning feet, etc. started. Unfortunately, I don't have a diagnosis yet despite the fact that my symptoms certainly seem to match some type of sensory neuropathy.

Have you had an EMG & nerve conduction testing? That is one of the main tests that is used to rule out ALS/MND, and also will identify motor neuropathy.

As for nerve healing, it is slow and logically it can only happen if the underlying cause of the damage is resolved. There are a number of supplements that can aid in this process including B12 and various other B vitamins, alpha lipoic acid, acetyl-L -carnatine, and so on). Check out the Supplements thread as well as the many, many posts on this topic throughout this forum for more info.

Thank you - I will look into the other threads about treatments.

Were you ever diagnosed with clinical weakness from a doctor? I have, with my shoulder.

My EMG was abnormal in my arm. Showed the things that I posted above. The doctor ruled out ALS only because of the sensory and pain issues, my age and the location of weakness (shoulder), but I am so uneasy about this. What were the reason ALS was ruled out for you? Did you have abnormal EMGs?

For me, ALS was ruled out due to clean EMG, lack of significant clinical weakness, and lack of progression over a period of several months. MS was ruled out due to clean brain and neck MRI's and normal results on somatosensory evoked potentials testing. It was certainly a relief to find out that I did not have have these very serious diseases.

Now, if only I could get a definitive diagnosis of what is wrong with me.......

I am happy for you, it is a blessing if this could be ruled out....but I have an abnormal EMG with clinical weakness and am scared. Did they tell you that pain rules out ALS/MND (did/do you have pain)? That is what my neuro said to rule it out for me and that is the only string of hope I have right now...my weakness has not improved (yet) since healing takes a long time....so I am in a phase of waiting, will it improve or progress?

I also had a clean SEP and MEP.

Do you have any discoloration in the arm or fingers?

My understanding of some TOS is that it can result from a blood clot in a vein in the shoulder area. When that happens, nerves may be impacted with poor circulation, etc.

So some evaluations involve evaluating the blood vessels in the area. You might think about this aspect too, since you don't lift weights (move furniture or luggage), have an injury, swim too much, or throw balls etc.(sports)

Females on birth control pills can have odd blood clots in strange places, especially if they have a genetic error in the family to favor these. Some get the clots in legs, others, in deep pelvic veins, and some get them in the brain and elsewhere.

Thank you. No discoloration or vessel issues here. I also do not take any birth control. All I know is when my neck pain started up again tonight, so did the pain in my arm. And tingling/prickling in elbow. Its hard to NOT think that my arm us not part of my neck herniations. I will see what the neuro surgeon says on Monday. I will for sure report back.

Note that I'm obviously not a doctor, so this is just what I learned from various sites: At that time, I had no pain, so it wasn't a factor for me. However, everything I researched at that time said that MND generally does not cause significant pain (or numbness, paresthesias, etc). So, while not definitive from a diagnostic standpoint - the presence of pain or other sensory symptoms tends to point away from MND. (That seems to match up with what your doctor told you.)

Thank you. I have heard that too all over the place. I def have pain that only gabapentin can help. Oral Cortisone didn't take it all away, all other meds (Ibuprofen, etcetera) were useless. I posed above, when my neck hurts, there goes my arm pain again. Will see what the neuro surgeon says on Monday. I appreciate everyone's attention and support! I would invite you all over for dinner if I could!

Just got out from seeing the neurosurgeon. His opinion:


Plexus Neuritis. He said the same thing the neuro did. The herniations at C5/C6 and C6/C7 are too low to affect the shoulder and deltoid. He said the findings on my MRI should not lead to my arm problems. No indication for surgery, no indication of other shoulder problem. He tested my strength, it was there (full).

He said my neck pain is for sure from the herniations.

He said to continue with physio, exercises and meds. He said it will take a long time to get better. If I don't or the pain gets worse in a few weeks, to see him again.

So I'm dealing with 2 neck herniations and neuritis. Guys and gals, I really need to have some kind of improvement in my arm strength. No worsening. I see my normal neuro on Thurs (not the one who diagnosed me with neuritis), to go over all of this with him. Maybe he'll do more tests. ??

I am keeping a journal of my symptoms.... Like arm pain, arm twitching, arm weakness....and giving it a number from 1-10. I have an app on my phone that makes it easy.

Hi, sorry if you addressed this already but did they check your Vit D level? It is important for nerve function but frequently low and in need of supplementation.

I would encourage you not to give up on finding something aggravating your condition. Neuritis has to start somewhere. Think back if you started anything new before this began. Or take 10-14 days off of a lot of things and see if you have improvement. I had a saphenous neuritis above my medial knee for an entire year that was driving me nuts, buzzed all the way up the leg and had fasiculations. My doctors all shrugged and probably thought I was crazy. I thought I had spread of CRPS.

Turns out I was causing it on the recumbent bike at the gym. I only figured it out after taking 10 days off of working out and realizing it was gone. I got out my anatomy book and found there is a fascial canal where my problem was. Ends up people often get repetition strain in that area. I Added activities back in one by one till I figured out the problem and voila, no more saphenous neuritis now! Oddly, the regular bike is not a problem, only the recumbent so even seemingly minor changes in routine CAN be a problem. I know they want you to do PT but I am wondering about taking a break and seeing if things calm down any before starting that....

Hope you feel better soon, Sending Healing Love