ALS Sensory Symptoms: My Worries

[FredFlinstone]

My doctor dismissed any sensory symptoms as related to ALS, but I can't get it out of my head because I have this very symptom. This article on EHOW (no nothing about the site), said that the earliest symptoms reported by many patients diagnosed with ALS is a tingling sensation or feeling of numbness in the extremities. This symptom commonly occurs in the fingertips and toes (which it does for me). Does your experience of BFS involve numbness on the fingers and toes specifically? This might help me to know that I still have a chance.

 

[BobJazzy]

Donna,I spoke to my neuro about this last week about this and he said "ALS never presents with tingling an numbness". We were talking specifically about waking up with my pinkie and ring fingers numb. If you go on als.org you won't even find tingling or numbness mentioned on the page that talks about initial symptoms. Hang in there. I know this is upsetting but you're going to be OK. The vast majority of people with ALS have clinical weakness as the first sign.... not twitching, tingling, or numbness. Please visit the chatroom if you find that your anxiety is spiking on you.-Matt

 

[FredFlinstone]

Thanks Matt, I'm truly a mess this morning. I think it is the stress of the upcoming emg. I have so many random facts that I have picked up from the internet that have scared me. For example in the LA TIMES a majority of ALS sufferers have a longer ring finger than pointer (I do of course). I guess they say when this is the case there was more testosterone in the womb. Since ALS is more often associated with men, there is the link. You don't have to respond to this. It just is and there is nothing I can do about it.

 

[MngrFichts]

I have had undiagnosed BFS for 3 years with mahor numbness on my feet and hands. If I was getting a major disease it would have shown up in this length of time. So yes it is normal.