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I have been extremely worried this last week as I have been fearing ALS. Prior I had thought possibly MS but with the return of burning pain especially in my legs, loss of muscle (it appears), and the occasion fasciculation I became more worried.

I also have done some research on Lyme disease and realized how similar it is to other conditions. I had blood work done for lyme yesterday. I realize how hard it is to get a positive test.

I have just been very worried lately, and so fixated on what has been going on that is all I do is think about it and lay in bed because I am depressed.

Here is my story. I have been having trouble swallowing for a few years now, never really made the connection until recently.

My neurological symptoms have started in November. It lasted 4 days. I got pain in the palm of my right hand the next day went to my arm, than following day legs. My legs felt painful.

I then saw a massage therapist for the first time, and my symptoms went away aside from my chronic back and neck pain.

January 5th my symptoms returned in the exact same pattern starting in the palm of my hand. Only this time lasted 17 days. I had experienced shocks throughout my body including my neck and in random locations.

After a massage I started experiencing what I call flutters in my legs. They feel like something is popping or fluttering under my skin.

It feels like bubbles, better described as gas bubbles I generally feel it once and goes to another location, I feel these throughout the day. They are quick and feel like vibrations sometimes too. I remember one time after a massage my gums started going off like shocks.

Then shortly after my arms and legs were tingling a lot and went numb. I recall a time waking up and feeling shocks going off on my foot. Symptoms got worse everyday than got better. I then went one week symptom free. Than again pain in palm of hand, than legs. I briefly felt a few shocks go off in my body but was very short lived only a few hours.

I have been experiencing pain in both arms and legs, my joints are constantly cracking, I get spasms and twitches and noticed at one point within the last few days fasciculations under my skin. Don't feel them as much for the last few days.

I have also noticed I lost a lot of weight which I had not paid much attention to and both my legs appear a lot smaller especially the bottom half. My legs are not as painful as they were a few days ago but when I stand on them for awhile they feel different.

I find I am also always dropping things, and my hands hurt and I don't have the strength I once did.

I noticed today I had my legs up in the air and they were quivering.

I also looked at my tongue recently it was moving a lot but some days very little movement.. Could have been anxiety.

I also noticed my mouth was extremely dry on Sunday but had drank a lot of water prior. The following day I started. to lose my voice. Sometimes I feel like there is phlegm in the back of my throat but there is nothing there.

My hands really seem to be hurting. A correlation I've made is that my symptoms return each time I tend to over use my hands. Whether I am cleaning, writing Etc...

My symptoms have mostly gone into remission 2 times for 1 1/2 months and 1 week but returned when I overuse my hands.

Oddly enough my sister is going through 90% of the same symptoms as me. Hers started in the summer where mine in November.

What is going on?

Have you seen a doctor? Has your sister? What does the doctor think?

I see mine again Monday for addition symptoms. At the time he thought it could be MS related but not ALS. Now I'll see what he says Monday once I let him know of new symptoms. My sister her neuro said anxiety... There is no way this is anxiety. I did just feel a pulse in my finger but it has the same rhythm of that of both my stomach and neck which is all my heartbeat. I have been extremely anxious since my symptoms reappeared.

You should likely see a neurologist that specializes in MS. Chances are the doctor you see will recommend this to you. If he doesn't, ask him.

Welcome to ThisIsMS, Dea7.

#1 Take a deep breath. I have no medical background; but, in my opinion, I think it is unlikely that you have ALS. Your symptoms are common to many conditions. The diagnosis of MS can only be made after other more likely possibilities have been ruled out.

#2 Prepare for your Monday appointment with your doctor by writing down a list of your symptoms – make each description as brief as possible. Take this paper with you to the appointment.

#3 With your doctor, outline the game plan for the investigation of your symptoms. Numbness/tingling/pain in the legs and arms/hands is the textbook definition of "peripheral neuropathy." This is a common symptom in many conditions. In investigating the cause of peripheral neuropathy, the University of Chicago suggests the following (Your doctor's game plan may be similar.):

http://peripheralneuropathycenter.uchic ... #bloodtest\

Blood tests

Blood tests are commonly employed to check for vitamin deficiencies, toxic elements and evidence of an abnormal immune response.

Depending on your individual situation, your doctor may request certain laboratory tests to identify potentially treatable causes for neuropathy. These include tests for:

Vitamin B12 and folate levels
Thyroid, liver and kidney functions
Vasculitis evaluation
Oral glucose tolerance test
Antibodies to nerve components (e.g., anti-MAG antibody)
Antibodies related to celiac disease
Lyme disease
HIV/AIDS
Hepatitis C and B

(By the way, vitamin B12 deficiency can run in families. The "serum B12" blood test alone is not enough to rule out this possibility. Initial testing should also include a homocysteine test and a methylmalonic acid test.)

Thank you for the reply. I actually have been tested for all of that twice now in 3 months. Just had a lyme test done. No results yet. I understand they are sometimes hard to get a positive diagnosis. So I am now looking for a LLMD. Which are impossible to find in canada. Now I am looking in Michigan. I think what scares me is at first my symptoms were more related to MS but now everything is muscle related. No tingling, no shocks, no numbness. I look like I've lost 20 pounds in a few weeks. My legs appear a lot smaller they are in a lot of pain along with my hands. I am struggling with swallowing a lot. I wake up now with a completely dry mouth. I got so dizzy at work today I had to leave. These darn "bubbles" keep popping under my skin. I have also been losing my voice. This is all so overwhelming and stressful. I am finding such a hard time coping.

Hi Dea, I know it's been a while since you posted but wondering if you have received a diagnosis?
I have been dealing with the same type of symptoms for over 4 months now. I had an MRI done which completely ruled out MS which I am very grateful for. I'm waiting to see a rheumy but as I'm sure you know, the Canadian health care system is flawed when it comes to specialist appointments. It could take months. I'm hoping you can provide some help on what further tests should be performed.

I have dealt with various similar symptoms you described. every new specialist I visited, gave me a new diagnosis according to their own "specialties". The problem with our medical system is that, it does not the whole person for health, but rather a sickness localized in some particular part. For certain things, like heart surgery and the like, this system of thinking is great. But dealing with complex issues that are not so clearly localizable, is a mission impossible when using the allopathic approach.

I finally tried something, and it's changing my life. Give it a try. Drink it with a juice.. its impossible for me to drink it with water.

Cut dairy and wheat from your diet. Eat clean vegetables mostly green and use this formula called Henry's Cleanser. Search online and you will find it.

Give it 3 months, you will see a turnaround.