Firstly, thank you all so much in advance. I have read the guide to newbies and promise to leave you all in peace following your opinions/advice re: symptoms. You are all amazing - again, thank you in advance.
Are these symptoms ALS? I have suffered with RLS since childhood and PLMD (both conditions have not been formally diagnosed). In truth, the symptoms have not interfered with my quality of life - only minor disturbances to sleep over the years. However, since August, I have been having strange symptoms and could use some guidance regarding how to proceed towards a diagnosis. For example, the RLS symptoms I normally experienced, in my legs only, began in my arm. In September, these sensations began to bother me in the day, everyday. In addition to the normal sensations, it felt as though a tight band was around both knees and both elbows which resulted in pain in my thighs and upper arms in addition to a feeling of tension (bilaterally). I had the impulse to stretch to make the pain and feelings go away and have twice had my knees buckle under me during the day. I cannot honestly say if my knees buckled under me due to tension which had built up and then relaxed or anxiety related to not knowing what caused the sudden onset of my new symptoms. These new symptoms stayed with me from September until just after Christmas. On December 29, I had blood tests which confirmed that thyroid was in the normal range (currently on levothyroxine for hypothyroidism), a hemoglobin test (presume to check for diabetes which was negative) and I believe some other tests to rule out infection. Today, I have been advised that calcium, B12 and vitamin D will be checked shortly. My question is, therefore, do RLS symptoms typically manifest as new symptoms for no apparent reason? My doctor seems to think so but I am doubtful as I know that the clinical diagnosis requires that RLS symptoms which are present during the day should be significantly worse at night - this is not the case, anymore. I do not have any neurological deficits, muscle weakness or pains elsewhere (except gastritis related) but am reluctant to accept RLS diagnosis without the exclusion of other conditions.
I have read that parathesia is present in some cases of ALS and I have been advised that an EMG is advisable but only considered ALS when I read it was a diagnostic tool for ALS.
Thank you.
Are these symptoms ALS? I have suffered with RLS since childhood and PLMD (both conditions have not been formally diagnosed). In truth, the symptoms have not interfered with my quality of life - only minor disturbances to sleep over the years. However, since August, I have been having strange symptoms and could use some guidance regarding how to proceed towards a diagnosis. For example, the RLS symptoms I normally experienced, in my legs only, began in my arm. In September, these sensations began to bother me in the day, everyday. In addition to the normal sensations, it felt as though a tight band was around both knees and both elbows which resulted in pain in my thighs and upper arms in addition to a feeling of tension (bilaterally). I had the impulse to stretch to make the pain and feelings go away and have twice had my knees buckle under me during the day. I cannot honestly say if my knees buckled under me due to tension which had built up and then relaxed or anxiety related to not knowing what caused the sudden onset of my new symptoms. These new symptoms stayed with me from September until just after Christmas. On December 29, I had blood tests which confirmed that thyroid was in the normal range (currently on levothyroxine for hypothyroidism), a hemoglobin test (presume to check for diabetes which was negative) and I believe some other tests to rule out infection. Today, I have been advised that calcium, B12 and vitamin D will be checked shortly. My question is, therefore, do RLS symptoms typically manifest as new symptoms for no apparent reason? My doctor seems to think so but I am doubtful as I know that the clinical diagnosis requires that RLS symptoms which are present during the day should be significantly worse at night - this is not the case, anymore. I do not have any neurological deficits, muscle weakness or pains elsewhere (except gastritis related) but am reluctant to accept RLS diagnosis without the exclusion of other conditions.
I have read that parathesia is present in some cases of ALS and I have been advised that an EMG is advisable but only considered ALS when I read it was a diagnostic tool for ALS.
Thank you.
