Very worried
Posted: Wed May 02, 2012 2:55 pm
Please excuse me if this post seems like one of hundreds which have already been posted. My father had polio and my one of my uncle’s (mother’s brother) had Muscular Dystrophy. My aunt by marriage died of ALS, so this stuff hits real close to home. So here is my situation which probably started a couple of months ago. For the record, I am going to a neurologist on May 4th for an EMG for a definitive answer hopefully ruling out ALS. My doctors of course have stated I do not and would be shocked if I have ALS, my greatest and biggest fear! I am 51 years of age and like many others probably am over thinking this and should stay off the internet. But the other day during my annual physical he mentioned MS which of course freaked me out all over again. This seems like a great place to hopefully get some peace of mind before my appointment which I am now dreading.
Here are some or most of my symptoms:
• Sore feet – I get very sore feet at time especially after coaching one of my son’s ballgames. There are days when they feel better than others, but have been usually sore for some time now. I have changed shoes and they do feel better. I never have encountered numbness, just plain soreness
• Hot spots – I used to get hot spots, usually in my left bicep or on the side of my chest near my armpit. Again came and went and would last for a few minutes or more. Have not had any for a couple of weeks or more.
• Twitches or muscle fasciculation– Tiny quick little bumps or pops all over, usually in calves, arms, ankles and sometimes feet.
• Tight calves – I have not experienced any true cramping, but a few weeks ago my calves were very, very tight like about to explode. Again, they have gotten much better and on most days no issues, but there are days when they feel a bit tight, but so much better. Thighs get sore, but not like my calves. The other day I had what felt like a muscle pull from my foot all the way up to my back, left side again. Just for one day.
• Soreness – Lots of soreness especially in my arms, left side in particular which seems to be the side most affected. Again, some days worse than others, depending it seems on activities and sometimes not. This also has been better and has basically been relegated to soreness and not pain.
• Sore throat – Had a very sore throat a couple of weeks ago, though never had a problem swallowing. Has gotten better and usually lozenges help relief the pain. Still occasionally gets sore but better than couple of weeks ago. Doctor did see a white spot on one of my tonsils and swabbed for strep throat. Result came back negative and felling better
• Fatigue – Probably self-explanatory. Some days were worse than others and just felt like crap. When I am doing activities like playing catch, walks or yard work there are no issues. It is of course after or the next day when i am tired. Definitely my recovery has been better the last week or two.
• Sore hands – Most affected again is my left hand and I will get real soreness from my left pinky towards my thumb along the outside part of my hand more than anything. Sometimes both hands will just get sore and I always have to crack my fingers. Again, some good and some bad days. They do no hurt while using them usually, only afterwards. I do feel I figured this one out along witrh my sore feet. I am coaching my sons' baseball teams and throwing between 300-500 pitches a week. I believe all the pounding on my feet and catching so may balls may be figuring in the pain. Again, only soreness and not numbness.
Okay, enough with the symptoms…..you get the gist of it. I am still able to lift weights with seemingly no muscle loss, do push-ups, pitch batting practice, mow the lawn and most other normal activities; just with after effects now. Bottom line I used to feel like crap most days, tired, light-headed at times. I have not had any vision issues, as a matter a fact I just had my annual eye exam and field vision test and everything was very good. I have not had any balance issues as well. Another thing I was on different blood pressure medications during the time I was feeling very crappy and am now off all medication which hopefully all coincides with feeling better all around and not just a fluke.
Of course I did not come here looking for any definitive answers, but hopefully some words of encouragement and relief as to be honest I am scared. Of course no one can predict the future or what is to come. Thanks again for viewing this post along my ranting. Keep up the great work as you have put many people’s mind at ease over the years.
dalucca
Here are some or most of my symptoms:
• Sore feet – I get very sore feet at time especially after coaching one of my son’s ballgames. There are days when they feel better than others, but have been usually sore for some time now. I have changed shoes and they do feel better. I never have encountered numbness, just plain soreness
• Hot spots – I used to get hot spots, usually in my left bicep or on the side of my chest near my armpit. Again came and went and would last for a few minutes or more. Have not had any for a couple of weeks or more.
• Twitches or muscle fasciculation– Tiny quick little bumps or pops all over, usually in calves, arms, ankles and sometimes feet.
• Tight calves – I have not experienced any true cramping, but a few weeks ago my calves were very, very tight like about to explode. Again, they have gotten much better and on most days no issues, but there are days when they feel a bit tight, but so much better. Thighs get sore, but not like my calves. The other day I had what felt like a muscle pull from my foot all the way up to my back, left side again. Just for one day.
• Soreness – Lots of soreness especially in my arms, left side in particular which seems to be the side most affected. Again, some days worse than others, depending it seems on activities and sometimes not. This also has been better and has basically been relegated to soreness and not pain.
• Sore throat – Had a very sore throat a couple of weeks ago, though never had a problem swallowing. Has gotten better and usually lozenges help relief the pain. Still occasionally gets sore but better than couple of weeks ago. Doctor did see a white spot on one of my tonsils and swabbed for strep throat. Result came back negative and felling better
• Fatigue – Probably self-explanatory. Some days were worse than others and just felt like crap. When I am doing activities like playing catch, walks or yard work there are no issues. It is of course after or the next day when i am tired. Definitely my recovery has been better the last week or two.
• Sore hands – Most affected again is my left hand and I will get real soreness from my left pinky towards my thumb along the outside part of my hand more than anything. Sometimes both hands will just get sore and I always have to crack my fingers. Again, some good and some bad days. They do no hurt while using them usually, only afterwards. I do feel I figured this one out along witrh my sore feet. I am coaching my sons' baseball teams and throwing between 300-500 pitches a week. I believe all the pounding on my feet and catching so may balls may be figuring in the pain. Again, only soreness and not numbness.
Okay, enough with the symptoms…..you get the gist of it. I am still able to lift weights with seemingly no muscle loss, do push-ups, pitch batting practice, mow the lawn and most other normal activities; just with after effects now. Bottom line I used to feel like crap most days, tired, light-headed at times. I have not had any vision issues, as a matter a fact I just had my annual eye exam and field vision test and everything was very good. I have not had any balance issues as well. Another thing I was on different blood pressure medications during the time I was feeling very crappy and am now off all medication which hopefully all coincides with feeling better all around and not just a fluke.
Of course I did not come here looking for any definitive answers, but hopefully some words of encouragement and relief as to be honest I am scared. Of course no one can predict the future or what is to come. Thanks again for viewing this post along my ranting. Keep up the great work as you have put many people’s mind at ease over the years.
dalucca