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Twitching, mild numbness
Hi I am 38M, started body wide twitching 2 months ago that first started in one bicep and spread very fast. Had no clinical weakness for 8 weeks as per neurologist and clean EMG’s
But I am experiencing more things now. There were few das when I woke up with numb hands and they got better within seconds. But I was sleeping on my back. Also recently I have stated to notice my right hand especially the pinky, ring finger and hand underneath including wrist forearm feel bit numb and numbness goes bad in certain positions and angles. And it makes my arm feel overall week. Also my right leg had tight knee, knee pain while walking, calf tightness and cramping for more than a week and it has impacted my walk and leg feel overall weak. The knee tightness got better but I noticed my big toe in same foot wasn’t touching ground one day but it got better. But still my toe feel a bit weird. Had no foot drop or tripping. I also stated to feel arms and shoulder tremor a lot during gym workout. My twitching is still on and off at 2 months. Now I am worried about this hand feeling mildly numb and I saw many posts where people said they had ulnar nerve symptoms and numbeness and later got diagnosed with ALS. I have been worried. My neurologist told me 2 weeks ago I don’t have MND. But at they time these new issues of leg and hand were not very significant and the got worse after that.
Can someone please advise if the have anything similar or any helpful suggestions?
Thank you
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I know your fear. I was convinced I had ALS 2 years ago at 55 years old. I had body wide twitching, total body numbness that took away all of my normal body pain, hypnic jerks, night sweats, weakness, extreme fatigue, slight deep breathing issues when sprinting, itchiness, digestive problems, erectile dysfunction, cramping, dizziness, brain fog, and head pressure with ear ringing.
I saw my primary doctor who agreed I have a lot of ALS symptoms but assured me that it is verry rare, and I should see a neurologist. I was seriously showing my wife where to find all of my passwords for when I was gone. I then saw a neurologist, endocrinologist, ENT, rheumatologist, and spine specialist. Every doctor basically said I had no problems or minor problems that couldn’t be causing all of my issues.
I still have cervical issues that are still causing some issues, but my main issue was thoracic outlet syndrome that is rarely diagnosed. I had to see a sports doctor and ask for a test to get the diagnosis. I had surgery in April for it and it resolved about 75% of my issues. I also ended up having decompression surgery on my lumbar spine that has helped also.
I still have some fatigue, slight numbness in my feet, rarely do I twitch unless I overwork a specific muscle, rare cramping, strength is back to 90%, and no more itching, ED, or digestion problems. I do still have some brain fog and dizziness occasionally that is probably from my bulging disc in my neck. I should also say that most of my issues were a result of 50 years of baseball. I mean a lot of baseball. In 2021 I played 106 games and had 357 at bats at 53 years old while still working full time as a parole officer. Crazy!
The bottom line is that you need to keep looking for answers. Get that spine looked at by a neurosurgeon. Compressed nerves can cause a lot of havoc. My neurologist gave me a diagnosis of mild axonal polyneuropathy after my EMG. He basically just said jokingly that I don’t have ALS, but never convinced me. Good luck and stay positive. I know how hard it can be.