ALS Fears

Hello all,

I myself, like many others suffers from the fear of ALS. I have had muscle twitching for the past 8 months. Along with the twitching I experience some vibrations and tingling sensations all over. i have been to the neuro and he said my MRI was perfect and no worry of MS. He put me through a series of test and said he does not believe it is ALS and wants me to get an EMG to make his 95% a 100%. My question is, would I be able to jog, hop on one foot, hop up stairs, bench press heavy weight and still participate in physical activity if I had ALS. I know its probably an obvious answer however, you do come across stories in which patient can do the toe walking and heel walking and some that can not. I am a 25 yrO male newly engaged and just petrified of this horrible disease. Thank you for those that have read and god bless those who suffer from this terrible disease.

afilewic

Welcome to HealingWell and the A & P forum.

I am sorry you are having such a hard time and I understand well what it feels like to be on the worry-go-round of "what if?" thinking. I was dx with anxiety in 1982 and most of the time I have been ok but some major episodes have assaulted my life.  With the help of my Dr. a therapist, medication and this great forum I have learned ways to accept my anxiety and not let it rule my life.

 When my mind starts wandering into the ifs? I talk to myself and tell myself rational answers for my what-ifs. It’s really hard when the what-ifs escalate. Sometimes it just gets away from us. Another thing that works well for me is distraction. I get up and clean or get on the computer...anything that makes me concentrate on something else. Sometimes I call a "safe person", someone that understands and is able to distract me with other conversation. Deep, slow belly breathing helps to clear your mind too.

 

Do your best to wait for your test results and if your Dr. feels you do not have ALS trust this person.  Remember those of us with anxiety usually have overactive imaginations.

 

Kindly,

Kitt