Hi, I'm a 17 year old male with recent symptoms that are really frightening me.
About one month ago, I suffered a severe headache which effectively immobilised me. It started with a strange jolt at the back of my skull and the top of my spine, and then left me unable to work. I also suffered strange weakness in my arms which I hadn't had before. It also gave me severe constipation, which as of writing is still not clearing up despite being prescribed lactulose.
In the two weeks after the headache left, I felt physically fine. I got back to normal, having a glasses test, and even producing a record and going on holiday. I was still constipated, but it wasn't causing me any pain.
However, in the past week and a half, I feel I have worsened significantly. In a month I've lost a significant amount of weight, causing some of my bones to become prominent and my face to look very guant and unpleasant. In addition, I have begun to feel weakness in several of my limbs. It was mostly in my left side, with my fingers feeling loose or like I was not really controlling them, and my leg feeling a bit weak, as if it will buckle under my weight. This has been followed by cramps, such as in my abdomen or my thighs, and the discovery my fingers feel strained when I stretch them out as normal. My temporalis in my head has also been affected, as has my swallowing, which is particular cause for concern as it now seems very shallow. Although I doubt it is related, my ears have also been crackling as of late when I swallow, while opening my jaw seems much more tiring than previously and causes cracking, which prevents it from opening properly. Numbness also persists in my teeth and my neck is very stiff, so much so that I can barely move it. Despite this, I feel no pain. Dizziness is also a common feeling.
I feel no pain from this weakness aside from the cramps, but I also get twitches and tingling down my arm and leg. This is what has me suspecting the onset of ALS / MND. I am aware I'm a bit young to be coming down with one of those conditions, but I am unable to find any explanation for the muscle weakness, which makes typing difficult and is affecting my balance. Sometimes it's like when I'm sitting down my leg will sway, or I have to 'wake it up'. Even standing still can make it go weak. The same is with my arm. I have the suspicion my weight loss is owing to my muscles wasting, which seems particularly apparent in my hands and my calves.
My constipation is still bothering me. I don't feel bloated or full, just like I should be going when I'm not. When I eat I also suffer severe stomach pains afterwards, which in the ALS scenario I was placing down to the idea it is affecting my stomach muscles. The possibility of this is unsurprisingly quite nerve-wracking.
I've never experienced hypochondria on this scale before, yet people are simply refusing to listen to me. My parents, one of whom has his own health problems, are convinced I am making the symptoms up, as I have been to four doctors. The problem is, the first two doctors were for my headache, the third was for my constipation, and the fourth never checked me over, merely sending me to mental health support. The idea my muscles are wasting away and not working anymore, and the thought of dying so young in such a sinister way, is completely crushing for me. Are there any things around aside from ALS which can cause these symptoms, or is it just a matter of diagnosis?
Edit: should probably mention I had a clear blood test. However, I'm aware that means little as to muscular damage.
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