pantherjoey
New member
I wanted to tell my story to maybe relax the worried well a little.
About 6 months ago I started having trouble with my voice. It seemed kinda nasaly (sp..) at times and kinda weaker than usual. Also had a funny feeling in my throat, kinda like I was having trouble swallowing. But, being a man of 38 years old who never much worried to much about my health I ignored it.
Well, about 2 months after the throat stuff, my left arm and hand became noticiably weaker than my right arm. My arm would twitch and twitch all day and night and drove me crazy. Again, I didn't worry about it.
And last but not least, my left leg and knee started acting up. My leg would give out from time to time when I was just standing still. And after a few weaks my leg was extremely weak and I walked with a noticible limp. This time I went to the doctor.
So to make a long story shorter. After seeing my doc plus a nueroligist (sp..) I was told that I would need some testing, but I MIGHT have ALS. I didn't really know what ALS was and wasn't real concerned until I started searching the web. Then of course I was TERRIFIED!!! There I sit at my house at 4 in the morning at the computer and just realized I was likely dying. I was devastated.
By the time I had further testing my conditions had worsened to the point I KNEW I had ALS. My left arm was practically just hanging there. I couldn't even grip a baseball. My voice was as weak as ever, and my limp was now permanant. Anyways, after all was said and done, I did not have ALS.
My left arm problem ended up being a pinched and damaged nerve in my neck. It was repaired with minor surgery and feels fine now.
The voice problem was a nodule on my thyroid gland. It was benign and removed with no problems.
My left leg problem is a problem with my lower back and a condition called meralgia paristetica (sp..). Niether needs treament at this time and my leg has regained strength.
So there you go folks. Even when ALL THE SYMPTOMS point towards ALS, it's probably NOT!!! So relax, your all fine!!!
About 6 months ago I started having trouble with my voice. It seemed kinda nasaly (sp..) at times and kinda weaker than usual. Also had a funny feeling in my throat, kinda like I was having trouble swallowing. But, being a man of 38 years old who never much worried to much about my health I ignored it.
Well, about 2 months after the throat stuff, my left arm and hand became noticiably weaker than my right arm. My arm would twitch and twitch all day and night and drove me crazy. Again, I didn't worry about it.
And last but not least, my left leg and knee started acting up. My leg would give out from time to time when I was just standing still. And after a few weaks my leg was extremely weak and I walked with a noticible limp. This time I went to the doctor.
So to make a long story shorter. After seeing my doc plus a nueroligist (sp..) I was told that I would need some testing, but I MIGHT have ALS. I didn't really know what ALS was and wasn't real concerned until I started searching the web. Then of course I was TERRIFIED!!! There I sit at my house at 4 in the morning at the computer and just realized I was likely dying. I was devastated.
By the time I had further testing my conditions had worsened to the point I KNEW I had ALS. My left arm was practically just hanging there. I couldn't even grip a baseball. My voice was as weak as ever, and my limp was now permanant. Anyways, after all was said and done, I did not have ALS.
My left arm problem ended up being a pinched and damaged nerve in my neck. It was repaired with minor surgery and feels fine now.
The voice problem was a nodule on my thyroid gland. It was benign and removed with no problems.
My left leg problem is a problem with my lower back and a condition called meralgia paristetica (sp..). Niether needs treament at this time and my leg has regained strength.
So there you go folks. Even when ALL THE SYMPTOMS point towards ALS, it's probably NOT!!! So relax, your all fine!!!
