While we all feel for you, it is not helpful when you use words like "fasiculations" because you box in your diagnostic possibilities.
Patients expect doctors not to use jargon, and we suggest that you don't either. It can delay the diagnosis because it leads us down a wrong path and it is difficult to keep an open mind.
Also you lump ALS and MS together when they are completely different diagnoses.
You are correct that ALS is an upper and lower motor neuron disease. The operative term is "motor;" so, yes, sensory changes would be a separate issue.
I used the term "fasciculations" because that was the term my PCP used. Patients/individuals expect doctors to provide meaningful answers to their questions (I think that's the purpose of the forum). I tried to be as descriptive as I could and to articulate my questions clearly in order to be helpful and instead end up basically derided for it. Perhaps I could rephrase my question without the layperson sin of using medical terms of art and maybe get a better response (PS- I am on here because I'm quite concerned about my symptoms/situation):
I'm having tingling/pins and needles sensations in my left foot. I'm having twitching in my calves and feet (more on the left leg and its also a pulsing sensation in my calf). I'm also having some twitching in my arms, hands, and eyes. But most of the twitching is in my calves and feet. Any ideas what this could be? Lastly, I didn't mean to confuse ALS and MS, those were obviously two conditions which worried me. Thanks,
I invite you to the MS forum where we have dealt with this kind of question many times before. I can help you with the answer. I am a physician with MS.
http://www.medhelp.org/forums/Multiple-Sclerosis-Support/wwwboard.html
Quix
what a completely insensitive and typical "neurologist" answer to a well asked question. Jargon or no, the guy had a problem and was seeking help. You blew it.
I agree with "munchmetta." Sometimes I think doctors want patients to present themselves as (I'll be kind) rather ignorant. Mine was incensed when I suggested needing the very tests that in fact Dr. Kantor asked if I had had in my initial question to him. (I answered his questions but have not heard back.) I just clicked on the forum because I've had a bad day physically, and reading this sure doesn't help. My best to you.
A former boss was diagnosed with restless leg syndrome with similar symptoms.He said it was no joke and extremely uncomfortable and distressing, keeping him up at nights, etc.