Dr's Appt
 

Hi I'm New... 48 male

In Feb I started having problems... Had my first neuro appt this week. I learned a lot... He told my I definitely had a problem with my brain and said either a stroke, MS, or ALS. I have an MRI next week and an EMG in June.

One thing that I learned that might help everyone... 100% of people with ALS will have high reflexes. Mine were through the roof. This is very evident. If your reflexes are normal... you don't have ALS. I thought that was interesting.

Thanks!

And he said....
 

IT was LIKELY a BRAIN problem without the MRI's EMGs ECGs EKGs? What about blood work? Get copies of all your tests - they help to work out what all is 'normal' and what's not.
Check out: www/lizajane.org
It's a site put together by a bunch of folks at the Peripheral Neuropathy site to rule out everything before a diagnosis can be made accurately.
Please, if this is a 'neurosurgeon' don't just go OK operate...most neuro's treat the pain, the imbalances, the muscle 'things, the fainting...medically, not surgically.
Diagnosis should go thru all the steps on this site:
www.neuroexam.com If your doc isn't going thru all the 'steps', get copies of all so far from your file [films you may have to 'check out' from somewhere...like a library] and go get a second opinion. If you have insurance that's far cheaper than stressing yourself with the 'maybes'! Sometimes another second opinon helps as well. [It's a good and cheap way of 'interviewing' docs if you only have to do a co-pay too!]
High reflexes aren't always due to ALS - some things easier to deal with, others worse. Don't worry about it until all the reports are in. Then learn all you can about it all and what can be done about it now and in the future!
Hugs and good thoughts till more tests can tell not only your doc, but YOU more and in a way an INFORMED you can deal with! - j

It sounds as if you have a neuro who would rather frighten people that actually find out what is wrong. Nealy everyone on the old Braintalk had heightened reflexes. I don't think that yours are any higher than mine...I nearly kicked my dr over as my aim was perfect, if you know what I mean.

Question. Were both legs and arms the same? Do you have numbness or pins and needles on one or both sides of your body? Have you fallen? Do you have tremors or twitches? Can you hold both arms straight out when you close your eyes? When you walk do you drag a foot? When you walk and you turn, how many steps does it take you to turn? Are your arms rigid? Legs? One side? Did you suffer an injury? Did you have a high fever? Have you ever had polio?

Answer these questions, and I can maybe give you some other advice, but I am not a doctor, nor do I pretend to be.

Take care,
Mama