Numbness and Tingling - ALS Concerns

[usysparawl]

Can someone please reassure me that tingling and numbness are not associated with ALS?

I have recently developed daily numbness and crawling sensations on the outer part of my thigh. The numbness is worst after standing long periods. I cannot see the crawling sensations, so I am not sure if it is twitching or parathesia.

Anyway, I looked it up and it is listed as a complication of pregnancy. The baby presses on the femoral nerve causing numbness, tingling, and even pain/burning on the outer thigh!

If it wasn't for my twitching, I would have just read this and accepted it. But of course, my health anxiety and this ALS stuff makes me worried.

I do plan to ask my OB about it next week, but in the meantime . . . does this sound more like a nerve/disc issue to you than ALS?

Peg

 

[HaleyHH]

Peg,
I am confident that tingling and numbness are not in any way associated with ALS, as it is a motor (not sensory) neuron disease, and everything I have ever read backs this up. BFS, however, is definitely associated with numbness and tingling, and I'm sure that mine was aggravated by my pregnancy. The front of my left thigh was completely numb for several weeks during my second trimester. It finally resolved itself (after scaring me to death, of course). I don't think it was completely because of either the pregnancy or BFS, but a combination of both. I also had those 'crawling' sensations on my thigh--which, again, are not assoiated with ALS in any way. Hope your pregnancy is going well--I know what it's like to be so scared that you can't enjoy that wonderful anticipation, but I hope it helps to know that others have been down that same road, and that you and your baby (girl? boy? do you know yet?) are just fine!
Happy Holidays!
Lisa H.

 

[StephG22]

Numbness and tingling are definitely not associated w/als. I have those "crawling" sensations on the outer part of my left thigh and the left side of my neck, shoulders and fore arms. Don't worry about that!

 

[Pixeldusty]

Don't worry about that all. I had those feelings when I was pregnant as well as during the *** scare. I still get those feelings. I have back problem issues and one of my Dr.s said any pressure on the back(and we know what a growing baby can do!) can cause those sensations.... Sensory feelings are not a symptom of ***.

Keep calm for you and the little one! (and btw, charlie horses...wow I have had them before pregnancy and during..some doosies too!) keep up with fluids!

 

[Pixeldusty]

Don't worry about that all. I had those feelings when I was pregnant as well as during the *** scare. I still get those feelings. I have back problem issues and one of my Dr.s said any pressure on the back(and we know what a growing baby can do!) can cause those sensations.... Sensory feelings are not a symptom of ***.

Keep calm for you and the little one! (and btw, charlie horses...wow I have had them before pregnancy and during..some doosies too!) keep up with fluids!

 

[usysparawl]

Meralgia Paresthetica:

"A condition characterized by pain, paresthesia (abnormal sensation of burning, tingling, etc.) and numbness on the lateral surface of the thigh in the region supplied by the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve.

Hyperextension of the hip or increased lumbar lordosis (forward curvature of the lumbar spine), such as occurs during pregnancy, leads to nerve compression by the ligament.

Pain, paresthesias, or numbness occurs about the outer aspect of the thigh, usually on one side. It is sometimes relieved by sitting."

I cave live with this -- just need to know it isn't ALS! And OF COURSE, my thigh is twitching! ARGH! (As well as my left calf.)

 

[usysparawl]

UPDATE: Saw my OB yesterday and this is exactly what I have -- MP -- Meralgia Paresthetica! She said it will get worse before it gets better. Now, if I can just convince myself this is MP and not ALS!

Peg

 

[ieglerKittanZiegler]

Can this happen when you are not pregnant? I have an intense burning sensation on the top of my thigh (almost like a bad sunburn), the numbness and tinging. Also on that leg in my calf is where the twitching is located. Just curious?

 

[usysparawl]

Twitching is not associated with MP.

However, yes it can happen. Pregnancy just makes you more prone to it. Other causes include being overweight, wearing tight clothing, and sometimes for just no reason. There is a support group at Brain Talk, and the vast majority of them are not pregnant or even overweight.