Right sided arm weakness

[Bhamgirl]

Hi all,

It's been many months since I posted last and would love to say that I have spent that time free from HA, but alas, I have not. Sadly, it has greatly increased in the last several months, and I am hoping that someone may have either similar symptoms or advice on how to curtain my obsession with my latest symptom.

I have had progressive weakness solely in my right arm. I have been examined by a world class neurologist who noted that I do indeed have some weakness in my right deltoid (non-dominant arm), BUT my EMG/NCV and blood tests were all normal. Regardless, there are times when I can barely use my arm and the dexterity has decreased significantly. I have a difficult time holding on to my phone or my wallet, and I always feel a sense that I will drop whatever it is in my hand. This, of course, sends off an immediate panic that something is wrong (think MS, ALS, or some other illogical conclusion). Sooooo, with that said, I was just hoping someone may have had a similar issue. The fact that this is one-sided weakness is what bothers me most. I know that anxiety can present in whatever way it chooses, but my medical brain has a hard time believing it would only affect one limb.

Any advice or tough love would be appreciated. I'd love to return to "normal"...my kids deserve a mother who isn't an anxious mess.

Thanks to all for reading.

[Ben1989]

Hi there.

I was down the ALS/MS rabbit hole, it really isn’t nice.

I started with MS fears. My ears ringing, blurry vision, quite severe chronic dizziness that lasted about two months. I had my doctor examine me and he put me forward for an MRI scan. He dealt day in day out with MS sufferers and categorically told me I didn’t have MS. But, I have HA so obviously I didn’t believe this qualified specialist who has years of experience.

MRI results came back...completely clear. And, miraculously, all my symptoms dissipated. It is ridiculously powerful your brain. I get vibrating limbs, ears still ring sometimes and I know it’s HA and they go within minutes. Your brain feeds off your anxiety.

ALS. I ‘had’ weakness down my right side. Always thought I would drop stuff, when playing football I would often fall when putting my weight onto my right leg. I seeked reassurance by always testing my strength, testing holding stuff etc. Had an EMG and numerous NCS’s. All came back clear. In time I dealt with my ALS worry and realised I simply just didn’t have it.

I ended up seeing a physio as I do sometimes get this weakness feeling and he noticed that I have awful posture. He concluded that why my right arm is bearing this strain. Maybe it’s worth seeing one?

A bit of comfort. MS & ALS aren’t ‘sometimes’ conditions. You arm won’t sometimes feel bad. Has your neurologist given you any insight to what s/he thinks? To me you sound exactly like me during my MS/ALS episode. It’s terrifying but I firmly believe you simply just don’t have it. There’s light at the end of this tunnel, believe me :)

[Bhamgirl]

Thank you so much Ben. You sound as though you have indeed been right where I am currently. I started with the MS fear and though not completely over it, it has morphed into an ALS fear as well.

I've been to two neuros at this point, and both have conducted MRIs (clear) and EMG/NCVs (normal), not to mention the ridiculous amounts of blood work (all normal...I look great on paper!!!). Both docs believe that there is a strong HA component, and I don't disagree. I am currently in physician assistant school and not only is it intense, but it is also a breeding ground for HA sufferers. As my neuro said, healthcare professionals know too much. And it can and does scare us. I know I must retrain my brain, but I'm not quite sure how to do that at this point. It often feels insurmountable.

Again, thank you. Your words provided immense comfort!