Soreness/fatigue in neuropathy vs myopathy

[B00p]

Hello all,

Thank you so much for taking the time out of your days to assist those of us struggling with health anxiety. I will try to keep this brief.

For about 2 months, I have contended with a feeling of soreness/fatigue w/ occasional fasciculations in my left calf that are basically always there, but more noticeable after activity. It reminds me a bit of a a muscle strain, similar to a circumstance in which you overdid calf raises. I would not say it feels more difficult to move in a literal sense, more-so that I have to push through discomfort if I put it to work.

I will admit that my health anxiety drove me to “test” the muscle frequently for the first few weeks or so. What I think has driven me to finally schedule a doc appointment and make an account here, is the fact that since attempting to ease up on it over the last month, it almost feels like it has gotten worse or more persistent.

After reading dozens of posts, I came to the conclusion that my pathophysiological enigma is in regards to understanding what differentiates the feelings of muscle fatigue/tightness in ALS from muscle fatigue/tightness in other conditions. Initially, I felt as though I had some level of confidence in that the impression should be that the soreness/overwork feeling that sufferers of MND describe is secondary to increased levels of effort. That confidence has wavered a bit recently in reading some posts where it was stated that the person may not notice that loss of strength. I wanted to ask, if it was not too much trouble, if anyone has any insight on this? Are there general features that musculoskeletal fatigue/tightness/stiffness from neuropathy related conditions?

Moreover, I don’t believe I have any obvious difference in the immediate responsiveness/mobility/utilization of the left calf vs the right, especially if I am moving it without standing on it. Rather, it is like there is a pressure/ache in the muscle when in use that is uncomfortable but not precluding. I imagine it could become precluding after a couple of calf raises at this point, but the initial ones would be mostly unremarkable.

 

[ShiftKicker]

Heya-

You are really getting into the weeds with regards to what things feel like and differences between neuropathy and the fatigue that arises in ALS. You've done a fair amount of self testing and online research, which does indicate a developing health anxiety. What is not clear is if you have already been to see a doctor about your concerns, as the most important thing is a clinical exam. It might help to allay your fears.

I am hoping you've also read the Read Before Posting link, as it contains a fair amount of information about a whole variety of things, including the difference between feeling of weakness and actual clinical weakness. A physiotherapist or kinesiologist might be helpful to you as well in providing feedback about muscle response and tracking strength.

 

[Nikki J]

To me the fatigue is nothing at all like muscle strain and it isn’t sore one bit. I know the feeling you refer to from before. Like everyone I experienced it from time to time when overexerting. The fatigue I have now is that it takes an incredible amount of energy to make the movements I still can. The individual muscles though feel fine even though some don’t work

 

[B00p]

Hello,

Thank you both for your reply’s. I have read the aforementioned link, and have a primary care visit scheduled for the end of June. I am certain that, in large part, I will have to simply continue to practice my coping skills and don’t intend to burden the wonderful folks here with my issues for long. Oh, wanted to add that I am 33.

In accordance with that before-posting link, I had been able to keep a level head for the most part alongside my symptoms. I think the only factor that has thrown me for a loop is the question as to whether or not my perception of equal strength is accurate.

The line of mental inquiry goes “do I feel this fatigue/soreness/tightness because I am having to work it harder and can’t tell?” I am not even sure I would call it “tight.” Sometimes I get that impression, but most of the time I don’t get the impression that the muscle is flexing in accordance with the feeling. “Soreness” is also a bit of an off descriptor, sometimes it feels a bit that way with occasional twitching, and sometimes it sort of feels like someone is pushing a thumb into it.

 

[ShiftKicker]

Not sure if it's your writing style or not, but there really seems to be some circular thoughts about every muscle flex and twitch and you're struggling with trying to qualify how it feels and what it might mean all while comparing it to how things might feel for folk with ALS- this is a very singular focus and really serves to boost anxiety.

I really do encourage you to visit with a physio if you're struggling with quite a serious focus on self assessment and having questions about stiffness, etc. Having objective feedback from someone who knows the mechanics of the body can provide further info for when you visit your doctor. It's a more productive way to spend your time before your doctor's appt and will keep you from asking ALS focused questions online when there are so many reasons for a feeling of tightness, etc.

Please let us know how your doctor's appointment goes.

 

[B00p]

Hello all, I got in to see a primary care, and they did not seem to think my symptoms were remarkable enough to warrant a neuro referral. I figure I just need to keep on keeping on until something changes. Oddly, I thought the leg symptoms might have been improving a couple of weeks ago, but now it feels largely the same again. It’s as if the muscle was overworked for no reason. Just wish I could figure out what’s going on.

 

[lgelb]

One calf that feels overworked sporadically may be the sign of an injury that needs more time to heal or a poor position in sleep or elsewhere. But I have never heard of its heralding ALS.