ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), MS (multiple sclerosis) Posted: 11-07-06 20:50pm
I am having muscle twitches all over, from
under my eye, stomach. back, legs, arms,
toes, and to my feet. I have had bladder
problems since the birth of my second
child, and also had hypothoridism. My
thyroid has been working fine without
medication for 2 years. I just had a test
done a month ago, antibodies high and
slight elevated t-3 on a reverse t3 test.
I have been having twitches for 2 months
now. I went to a neurologist 3 weeks ago
and she did blood work, I am thinking all
work was fine, I haven't heard anything.
She did mention ALS, but said I didn't
have anything to worry about. My physical
neurology test was great. I have been
reading a ton on ALS and the thought of
having it scared me to death. I am having
some tingeling in my right toes, foot and
calf. I also have tingeling in my right
fingers. I am using the computer a lot
these days, I am in a masters' program
online. I am wondering if the pain and
tingeling in my leg could be from the
sciatic and same idea with my fingers?? I
am worried I have MS or AlS, What is your
opinion?
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
affects the motor neurological system
(part of the nervous system that controls
the muscle contractions). During ALS, the
nerve cells (neurons) in the brain and
spinal cord responsible for muscle
contractions die for unknown reasons.
Degeneration of the motor nerves leads to
muscle weakness and inability to perform
movements of the extremities and the whole
body. Senses (touch, smell, sight,
hearing…) and cognitive functions
(thinking, intelligence…) are not
affected. ALS usually occurs after the age
of 50 and is slowly progressive. Dominant
symptoms in ALS are muscle twitching,
cramps, weakness, atrophy, paralysis,
disturbed movements… In time, the
respiratory muscles can become affected
and breathing can be disturbed; these
conditions can lead to death. Diagnosis of
ALS is established with neurological
exams, electro-myo-graphy (EMG), and
genetic tests. A CT-scan or MRI of the
head and spinal cord, breathing tests and
blood analyses should also be performed to
exclude other diseases with the same
symptoms.
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is autoimmune
demyelinizating disease of the central
nervous system (CNS). During MS, the
immune system creates antibodies against
the myelin covering of the nervous tracts
in the brain. Lesions can affect any
nerve’s tract, so any nervous function
can be disturbed (motor, sensitive or
cognitive). The severity and diversity of
the symptoms during MS depend upon the
number and localization of the brain
lesions. People diagnosed with MS may
experience periods of remission, but
generally, MS is a progressive disease. MS
is diagnosed with a CT-scan of the brain
to visualize the lesions and a lumbar
punition to detect anti-myelin antibodies
in the cerebrospinal liquid.
According to your physical neurology test,
both ALS and MS are almost excluded. You
can request an EMG and CT-scan for a more
relevant and accurate diagnosis. EMGs are
also useful to examine the sciatic nerve.
An X-ray of the vertebral spine can be
also done to exclude spondylosis. You can
visit a neurologist to perform these
examinations. If everything appears OK,
then anxiety may be a possible cause for
your symptoms.
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