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What Causes Weakness In Right Hand, Elbow, Tingling Pain In Arms And Legs?
Question: Hi, I talked to Dr XXXXXXX before about my neurological problem. I just had second opinion from a Neurologist who said I have ALS. My ND and chiropractor both feel I
do NOT have typical ALS symptoms. Got weakness in right hand and right elbow but can still feed myself and lift things. Twitching has decreased a lot. Once I get my latest EMG report I can send it.
Here is breakdown of what has happened to me since a terrible accident in 2011:
Accident August 13, 2011
Headaches, sore jaw, broken tooth, fracture left elbow, sprained left wrist,
Left eye flashes, compression fracture L1, L2 and L3, neck issues, ringing in ears.
Headaches worsened in 2013.
Early 2014, neuralgia left side of face, twitching thumbs and cramping hands.
Summer 2014, carpal tunnel right thumb, twitching arms.
Fall 2014, numbness in both legs and feet. Tingling pain in arms and legs.
Pins and needles, numbness in arms and hands,
Burning pain in arms especially forearms
Cramping pain in legs, feet, hands and chest.
In 2015 treatments eased the pain and cramping
Chiropractors, physiotherapy, Massage, Laser treatment, Acupuncture, Shockwave treatment, Daily stretching, Whirlpool all helped.
Improved diet, lost weight, Supplements as suggested by Naturopath have helped.
MRIs showed bulging and slipped disks in Cervical spine and bulging disks in Lumbar.
December 2015;Terrible pain right shoulder front neck to elbow. Caused weakness in arm.
2016 XXXXXXX to April:
Excruciating pain right wrist to elbow causing more weakness in arm, right index finger weakened., cramping pain. Some dizziness.
Weakness in left elbow and left thumb and index finger.
Headaches worsened, tinnitus worsened.
Two Special blood tests GM1 came back negative for neuron disease.
Treatments in 2016;
Chiropractors, Physiotherapy, massage, Stretching and exercise daily, weights.
Acupuncture, Laser. Plus neurofeedback which said I suffered a trauma to the head
And should see a brain specialist.
Chiropractors, Physiotherapist, Naturopath, All say I do not have typical symptoms for a neuron disease and it probably an entrapment type of neuropathy.
Brain is said to be like a vehicle parked in neutral with foot on gas pedal.
Still have a lot of strength in both arms and both legs.
May 2016: Fasciculations have eased off in arms. Some tremours in body.r
Have had to date 5 EMG tests from two Neurologists.
Latest MD said I could have ALS and Neuropathy. Huh!
do NOT have typical ALS symptoms. Got weakness in right hand and right elbow but can still feed myself and lift things. Twitching has decreased a lot. Once I get my latest EMG report I can send it.
Here is breakdown of what has happened to me since a terrible accident in 2011:
Accident August 13, 2011
Headaches, sore jaw, broken tooth, fracture left elbow, sprained left wrist,
Left eye flashes, compression fracture L1, L2 and L3, neck issues, ringing in ears.
Headaches worsened in 2013.
Early 2014, neuralgia left side of face, twitching thumbs and cramping hands.
Summer 2014, carpal tunnel right thumb, twitching arms.
Fall 2014, numbness in both legs and feet. Tingling pain in arms and legs.
Pins and needles, numbness in arms and hands,
Burning pain in arms especially forearms
Cramping pain in legs, feet, hands and chest.
In 2015 treatments eased the pain and cramping
Chiropractors, physiotherapy, Massage, Laser treatment, Acupuncture, Shockwave treatment, Daily stretching, Whirlpool all helped.
Improved diet, lost weight, Supplements as suggested by Naturopath have helped.
MRIs showed bulging and slipped disks in Cervical spine and bulging disks in Lumbar.
December 2015;Terrible pain right shoulder front neck to elbow. Caused weakness in arm.
2016 XXXXXXX to April:
Excruciating pain right wrist to elbow causing more weakness in arm, right index finger weakened., cramping pain. Some dizziness.
Weakness in left elbow and left thumb and index finger.
Headaches worsened, tinnitus worsened.
Two Special blood tests GM1 came back negative for neuron disease.
Treatments in 2016;
Chiropractors, Physiotherapy, massage, Stretching and exercise daily, weights.
Acupuncture, Laser. Plus neurofeedback which said I suffered a trauma to the head
And should see a brain specialist.
Chiropractors, Physiotherapist, Naturopath, All say I do not have typical symptoms for a neuron disease and it probably an entrapment type of neuropathy.
Brain is said to be like a vehicle parked in neutral with foot on gas pedal.
Still have a lot of strength in both arms and both legs.
May 2016: Fasciculations have eased off in arms. Some tremours in body.r
Have had to date 5 EMG tests from two Neurologists.
Latest MD said I could have ALS and Neuropathy. Huh!
Brief Answer:
Consider MS, further examinations are necessary.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for using HCM.
I have read your question and understand your concerns.
ALS is a progressive disease, and in five years of symptoms onset, the situation should be worse by now, so, I don't think it is a pure ALS condition that is causing your symptoms.
In my opinion, Multiple sclerosis should be considered and evaluated further as a possibility, since your symptoms have gone through a worsening/improving course.
Also, I didn't find a cervical spine MRI report in files that you uploaded, so, I think a cervical spine and brain MRI is necessary to understand better your condition.
Peripheral neuropathy should be assessed further, because, besides compression, other conditions may cause it.
These include prolonged alcohol use, low vitamin B12 levels, viral infection, drugs side effects, heavy metals toxicity etc.
New EMG should give important information about the progression of your condition or not, but, in my opinion, examinations such evoked potentials ( visual, sensory and motor ) are necessary in achieving a correct diagnosis.
Hope you found the answer helpful.
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Greetings.
Consider MS, further examinations are necessary.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for using HCM.
I have read your question and understand your concerns.
ALS is a progressive disease, and in five years of symptoms onset, the situation should be worse by now, so, I don't think it is a pure ALS condition that is causing your symptoms.
In my opinion, Multiple sclerosis should be considered and evaluated further as a possibility, since your symptoms have gone through a worsening/improving course.
Also, I didn't find a cervical spine MRI report in files that you uploaded, so, I think a cervical spine and brain MRI is necessary to understand better your condition.
Peripheral neuropathy should be assessed further, because, besides compression, other conditions may cause it.
These include prolonged alcohol use, low vitamin B12 levels, viral infection, drugs side effects, heavy metals toxicity etc.
New EMG should give important information about the progression of your condition or not, but, in my opinion, examinations such evoked potentials ( visual, sensory and motor ) are necessary in achieving a correct diagnosis.
Hope you found the answer helpful.
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Greetings.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
Thank you for your reply. I have attached the MRI for my cervical spine and brain.
Metal toxicity was high last year for lead and mercury but it is now down to a safe level through urinalysis testing and detoxification process in the States. B12 level is fine. Taking for over a year now more magnesium.
I do suffer from headaches and tinnitus since the accident plus a lot of grinding when I turn my neck.
Metal toxicity was high last year for lead and mercury but it is now down to a safe level through urinalysis testing and detoxification process in the States. B12 level is fine. Taking for over a year now more magnesium.
I do suffer from headaches and tinnitus since the accident plus a lot of grinding when I turn my neck.
Brief Answer:
Cervical conditions to consider further.
Detailed Answer:
Welcome back and thanks for the additional info.
These MRI-s are too old to rely on in achieving a correct diagnosis, however, there are cervical spine changes to be considered.
Brachial plexus MRI done on August, 2015 shows cervical spondylolisthesis at two levels, dynamic x-rays (flexed and extended position) are necessary to asses the correct degree of listhesis.
Since there was heavy metals toxicity, peripheral neuropathy should contribute significantly in the symptoms.
Get further tests done, in order to achieve the correct diagnosis.
Hope I helped you.
Best regards.
Cervical conditions to consider further.
Detailed Answer:
Welcome back and thanks for the additional info.
These MRI-s are too old to rely on in achieving a correct diagnosis, however, there are cervical spine changes to be considered.
Brachial plexus MRI done on August, 2015 shows cervical spondylolisthesis at two levels, dynamic x-rays (flexed and extended position) are necessary to asses the correct degree of listhesis.
Since there was heavy metals toxicity, peripheral neuropathy should contribute significantly in the symptoms.
Get further tests done, in order to achieve the correct diagnosis.
Hope I helped you.
Best regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Veerisetty Shyamkumar
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