I've noticed that my arms and legs feel weak (although still seem to be able to lift the same amount), I always feel a bit off balance (I haven't fallen, but I do trip a little bit sometimes) my neck feels really weak, and I've been getting big twitches in my face a couple times a day. I also find that my arm tires and burns really fast when I'm writing, and I drop my pen occasionally. When I was playing guitar the other day as well my arm just kinda dropped out at one point, though it felt better afterwards.
This all seemed to start in the midst of a pregnancy scare I had with my girlfriend, could that have caused it? I feel like it's gotten worse, although it could just be that since that scare is over, I notice this more. I'm 16, and I feel like this has been happening a little bit for a couple months now. My normal doctor said she thinks I'm fine but she referred me to a neurologist for peace of mind. I should note i have really bad OCD (diagnosed by a shrink and everything), could that have something to do with it? I'm really freaking out
My voice also feels a little faint at times, though nobody else seems to notice. My neck feeling weak is what's really freaking me out . My doctor also tested my reflexes and said they weren't really reacting much, and doesn't ALS at this point cause hyperreflexia? Is my reflexes not reacting all that much a good sign here? I can still stand on my toes and walk on my heels, and I've been dtength testing myself all weekend, and I think my strength seems the same, although I feel like I'm shaking more when I lift heavy objects. I also tried the "press down and resist" thing and I can hold my arms up just like usual. Also, would ALS be affecting my whole body now? Or would it need to be already crippling to be spreading that much?
Have you ever tried something called bio feedback. See if you can find it in your area. You breth wring. But it will teach you properly even under stress, or anxious moments that will delete half of your symptoms. It leads to a lot of issues and that included muscle tension. If not i think they have apps to help learn it .but its nore productive to be hooked yo to a machine so you can really see the what is proper or not.
Also try and drink at least five water bottles day. Start slow otherwise youll be running ti bathroom to pee every half an hour.
not ALS. You would be entered into the guiness book of world records and studied by all the scientist in the world. Youre way too young. Completely scratch off that notion.
lastly if you use any medicatiins see if it is a side effect.
Hey man, sorry to hear you're struggling. I've been having the same kinds of problems myself for about a year and a half now. If you've had a neurological exam and they say you're alright, I know it's difficult to do but trust them. If you don't trust that doctor, find one you do. Ive had 2 neurological exams. The first from a doc who didn't really listen to me and seemed to want to rush me out of the office. I was told I was alright but because of how that visit went, it never eased my worry at all. I just recently found a new neurologist who works in house with my psychiatrist. She spent nearly 2 hours with me at my first visit. Very thorough, very attentive, very genuine. I felt comfortable with her findings and even though I still struggle with perceived weakness, I know it isn't a neurological or autoimmune disorder. Sometimes it's just a matter of working with a healthcare provider who you feel genuinely cares. It's tough, I know, believe me. I've stopped referring to it as weakness because like you I haven't lost any actual strength. It's just fatigue that makes us perceive that we're weak. In my case I believe the medication I'm on, coupled with my anxiety/depression are causing it. It's really hard to accept that there isn't something seriously, physically wrong, but my tests keep coming back clear, and I'm still here, so at the same time it's difficult to refute that I'm seemingly quite healthy. Take care man. Hope you get this sorted out.
Yep. My neurologist assures me it isn't. If it were any of those disorders your weakness wouldn't be perceived. You'd have actual muscle wasting in which case you have a very noticeable loss in actual strength. With perceived weakness we have difficulty performing tasks because our body feels fatigued, so a task might feel daunting but we can still achieve it. With muscle wasting we'd struggle to perform certain tasks because the strength would be gone. If that makes sense
I think it does. And the loss with ALS would be more severe than occasionally dropping a pen or something, right? Like it would be a total failure in a certain limb?
If you have been stressed and you know you become anxious the concern you had regarding your girlfriend could be caused by these sensations.
Sometimes if you have just come of the nest you may get above feelings espeially after an extended period, it can weaken for a time. Well known sensations.
You also have problems associated with OCD take all into consideration.
Thanks for the reply, you definitely don't think it sounds like ALS? Even the neck weakness? Does ALS ever affect the neck early on? Or would it need to be way further along for that to be it? It feels like my neck kinda jerks a little once in a while.
I don't mean to ask too many questions, I'm just kinda freaking out