In your experience do you think this could just be anxiety/PTSD?
Top Symptoms: hand numbness, hand weakness, hand pain from overuse, Symptoms that always occur with repetitive strain injury of the hand: hand pain from overuse, Symptoms that never occur with repetitive strain injury of the hand: hand injury, severe hand pain. The procedure generally takes from 30-60 minutes. But I also had intense muscle cramping, and twitching (fasciculations) and hyper reactive reflexes which were findings that contributed to diagnosis. An electromyography (EMG) is one of the key tests in diagnosing amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). “Biceps resistance can be done manually or using a light weight. On March 9, 2020, I saw the specialist and she had no doubt this was ALS. I went to see another neurologist the following week and she did an EMG, and muscle conduction tests and confirmed ALS. Copyright © 2013-2020 All rights reserved.

I now know what was my first visible sign of ALS ; problems with my breathing. There are agencies (or independent contractor caregivers) in most communities who offer the service of coming into your home to take care of you. However, my own opinion, is that if the partner is strong, he just may be able to remove his fingers.
my whole body feels horrible and fatigued and like I have no life in it. Could it just be in my mind? Meanwhile, specificity is the proportion of samples that test negative that are genuinely negative. When diagnosing ALS, it is common for muscles in different areas of the body to be tested regardless of whether the patient has experienced symptoms such as muscle weakness in that area. Questions may relate to diseases, illnesses, or conditions you may have or that may run in your family. Carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition of numbness and tingling in the hand and arm caused by compression of the mediannerve as it travels through the carpal tunnel. I will update after our appointment on the 28th. Using the right equipment, as well as proper technique for overhead motions of the arm, can help prevent the condition. Getting dressed is a real challenge for him. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.

I am learning to adapt but it isn’t always easy – there are days where I just want to give up but I keep going to the next one. You’re so nice. A fracture is the medical term for a broken bone. (Informed by current CDC guidelines. Sent me to Seattle Washington in January 2019. Same thing except partner places resisting hand beneath calf and tries to keep you from pressing downward. I saw my general practitioner 5 weeks ago who measured my strength 6 out 5 so higher than normal and I saw a neurosurgeon 2 days ago who tested my strength and didn’t raise any concerns (he said my legs and shoulder looked and appeared normal). I saw another doctor and neurologist and ENT doctor; I had MRIs, EMGs, blood work and still no one could figure it out.

(Keep in mind that it’s not uncommon for one arm to be a LITTLE stronger than the other.) My voice seems quieter and my throat feels tight – I can still eat and drink. Before that, she studied Cell and Molecular Biology at Universidade Nova de Lisboa and worked as a research fellow at Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologias and Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência. Suite 354 Home » Diagnosis of ALS » Electromyography (EMG) in the Diagnosis of ALS. “The results obtained from this study indicate that the characteristic findings of the SIFP can reflect the dissociated involvement of small hand muscles, even in ALS patients with normal CMAP [values],” the investigators said. Sorry for all the questions. While I guess I am thankful I had 18 months of ignorant bliss and normal living, it still baffles me that, with what I now know are classic symptoms of bulbar onset ALS, it took 18 months and 6 different doctors to get the answer. The majority of my symptoms so far had been strictly in the face and speech and swallowing. But grab only his index and middle fingers; completely grab them. Consult your physician before beginning any exercise or therapy program.

Motor control capabilities are dictated by neurons. I imagine that it’s not uncommon for several conditions to be present along with ALS. By November of 2019, we finally had saved enough to see a specialist. If the hands are weak, then there is the possibility that other, more serious, problems exist with overall health. University of Michigan: Michigan Medicine. @Glenn, did your doctor conduct genetic testing?

My breathing has changed.

What is the hardest thing being a Caregiver? His arms are bent 90 degrees while you do this. In the meanwhile, we had the EMG’s done again and two CT scans, a swallow test and a ton of blood work – seriously  on one visit they drew 12 vials of blood! MY HUSBAND asked me if I was drinking during the day or taking drugs – this was the man that I was married to for 17 years at this point, but he had to ask because there had to be a reason for the slurring. Position arm to 90 degree bend, upper arm vertical or almost vertical. The surgeon acknowledged that there was muscle atrophy but didn’t think I needed to see a neurologist.

We are sorry that this post was not useful for you! We are in this somewhat alone and each journey is different person to person. Top Symptoms: hand weakness, pain in the back of the wrist, wrist pain from an injury, wrist pain that gets worse when gripping something, difficulty moving the wrist, Symptoms that always occur with kienbock disease: wrist pain from an injury, pain in the back of the wrist. By Lorra Garrick | Last updated 02/17/2020, Medically reviewed by Mitzi J. Williams, MD. ALS Worldwide.

After that, my husband came home and was so thrilled because she said that there was no way! Partner places his hand below yours and presses upward to bend your wrist.

The spine surgery was probably indicated because I do have a lot of age related arthritis in my spine. So we moved, and decided to give it time to correct itself.

Only 10 percent of ALS is genetic, lucky us. I’ve had many family members with ALS. Shoulder flexion 2.

Top Symptoms: elbow pain, pain in one elbow, elbow pain from overuse, pain in the pinky side of the elbow, Symptoms that always occur with golfer's elbow (medial epicondylitis): elbow pain. My elbow is also hurting and my wrist almost like tennis elbow/carpal tunnel. After seeing the x-rays, our family doctor referred him to a neurologist. 3 W Garden St The cause may simply be fatigue from over-exertion or maybe the battle against a disease leaves us debilitated.

Strength should be equal; you should be able to resist. I started going to doctors in early 2016 to find answers as to why I was experiencing changes in my speech, the sensation of having something constantly stuck in my throat, neck cramps and most importantly, a decline in breathing capacity. I can do all of the strength tests, walk on toes, heels, heel-toe walk, resist fanning of fingers, etc.

I take Riluzole. Their joint diagnosis: ALS. Hoping that my foot weakness was a sign of my knee giving out, I got an appointment with my knee surgeon. My other Aunt had surgery on her foot and shortly after was diagnosed with ALS. Since the accident I continued to lose strength in my right arm. Results were no carpal tunnel issues but there was still something else that puzzled him. Take a thorough self-assessment on what you may have. You resist by “curling” or bringing hand up towards shoulder. My path to an accurate diagnosis took about 14 months. can anyone tell me if this sounds like ALS?

The causes can vary in severity and commonly include: Environmental causes may be related to lifestyle habits or certain exposures. Surgery is rarely needed. “Out of shape” people will struggle with this. connected to a device which records the electrical activity of the muscle at rest and when it contracts ALS along with upper limb weakness would present with atrophy (wasting away of muscles), fasciculations (twitching) in different groups of muscles, can also have increased tone of the muscles, increased reflexes; there are no sensory symptoms such as numbness or tingling - … Knee extension. My daughter, Laura, a physician, had been urging me to see a neurologist for months so finally after a consult with my spine surgeon on Jan. 29, 2019, who found weakness in my left foot but no signs of nerve compression, I made an appointment with a neurologist in my city and also one with  a neuromuscular specialist at the Cleveland Clinic.