I have another question. Could the atrophy in my lef quadricep and in my hands and forearms be caused by the spinal arthrosis that is causing stenosis of the foramens at different levels? I don't have any radicular pain. My reflexes are symetrical though a bit brisk and I have no abnormal reflexes.Also, can sponsylosis iof the cervical spine cause fasciculations and if so are the fasciculations limited to the muscles that are inervated by the affected cervical roots?
Thank you
I forgot to mention that I have cramps in both quadriceps worst on the left side when I exercise or walk for a few hours. I also I a slight difficuty swalloing (small particules of food get stuck in my throath). All the blood teats were normal
Delos
Thanks
My advice is limited as I have not seen you or your results. I cannot confirm if you really have wasting and muscular objective weakness of the left leg, and both hands/forearms. The El escorial criteria for ALS generally require evidence of ALS in 3 limbs and/or bulbar involvement by clinical exam or EMG. You do not seem to have any of the EMG criteria, which is also unusual if it really was ALS, and may indicate another pathology. Widesprad fasciculations are more suggestive of an ALS cause if early also.
There are mimics of ALS, and ALS is a rare disease, so the diagnosis should be made with caution. Forinstance, it is possible that vertebral disc disease may be causing both your hand weakness wasting and fascic and the left quad weakness (supplied by the L3 root). A syrinx or other spinal cord pathology should also be excluded by MRI of the spine.
Early polio can presidpose later in life to muscle weakness and wasting (classically asymmetric or unilateral) as your motor units naturally die off. Usually there are changes in the EMG in this area though (?I do not know if this area was specifically tested).
Make sure you have a general medical checkup also, especially if you have lost weight for no apparent reason recently.
An opinion from a center experienced in ALS could also help decide on a specific diagnosis, the Cleveland Clinic is one of several ALS centers