Concerned

[Willow25]

Hi thanks for reading
The Weakness started in Jan 2021. At the same time so did lots of vertigo. I woke up with vertigo and nausea, nystagmus. I was later diagnosed with Ménière’s disease because of my low frequency hearing loss. Left sided unilateral Ménière’s

I’m not sure if the weakness started that day or very close to it when I had a lower back injury from gym.

My weakness is left sided too..

I’m unsure if this diagnosis is correct because at the same time I’ve experienced weakness starting in my leg. Behind my knee, heel felt out of place almost. Noticed calf muscle had some wasting. Strange sensations coming from the leg. Almost like a blockage feeling. Some twitching but not a lot. Not like bad facilations as I’ve seen in diagnosed ppl.
My hand also lost some grip. Not a lot. Just enough to notice.
Then I notice my forearm isn’t as strong. Deltoid, triceps and even bicep is some muscle wasting. Not heaps but definitely noticeable to touch. I can still walk well but sometimes feels like my toes feel a little weak. I don’t think I hsve drop foot but definitely walk a little limp. I haven’t fallen or tripped. Have tiny cramp occasional in foot
Now here comes the more concerning part- the weakness starts inside my left face/cheek jan 2024. Now my whole jaw muscle feels like there a weakness. Looser skin etc. Some temporal muscle loss. Can still close my eye.

I have seen a GP recently and he has confirmed the muscle weakness afyer some specialists declared anxiety after not examine me properly

I have shingles (2014) so I thought this could potentially be a viral/autoimmune condition.

If anyone has information on these conditions if you think it’s more plausible, pls share.

I’m very lost and I’m sick of doctor googling. If anyone here can help me with there opinions and potential reccomendations when I see a new neurologist end of July 25. This visit comes with a referral from gp who agreed it’s muscle weakness so perhaps I won’t be dismissed this time

Pls note I will ask for an EMG end July
I have had also had MRI on brain/spine previously with some lesions detected and MS was ruled out as was stroke but i don’t trust those things

I’m 42 now, male. Started when I was about 38 so it’s been 4-5 years since I first noticed weakness

When I was 36 I was assaulted and hit in the occipital area quite hard….

Any questions pls let me know
Thanks

 

[lgelb]

As you say, there can be multiple things going on. There is no particular reason to doubt Ménière's from what you say.

Can you say more about the "some lesions" detected on MRI? Not sure why you doubt its accuracy; it's one of the best tools we have. Signs of a stroke or MS are typically pretty distinct on imaging.

It is very unlikely you have ALS that began as weakness 4-5y ago, so I expect your neuro visit to be reassuring in that regard. It is certainly possible that between the head injury, back injury, etc. that there is some nerve damage on your L side. It is also possible that you are using your muscles differently at a subconscious level if certain movements make you dizzy. There are also adult-onset myopathies. Etc.

Let us know how the neurology appointment goes.