Symptoms

The time of onset, or physical manifestation of ALS likely falls short in identifying the source, the cause or even the beginning incident, if a single trauma, whether physical or psychological, or an accumulation of lesser events. I'd use the term"theory" if the considerations for cause contained enough data to support themselves, however most concepts are mere guesses. It is thought that a combination of stress and physical trauma over a long period of time coupled with an assumed pre-disposition for ALS increases it's potential for fruition.
I can't tell you how I got ALS. I can tell you that the neurologists I've worked with have no answer. Unfortunately, since their expertise lies in medicating my symptoms, for which there is no VIABLE medication, and providing me with a death sentence of 2 to 5 years (for which I have no use), their influence over me is virtually nil. They can't speak of alternative possibilities, such as holistic remedies, Chinese Medicine, acupuncture, hypnosis, medicinal marijuana, mega dosages of vitamins, nutritionally sound diet, yin/yang, past life regression, stem cell research outside the United States, massage therapy, acupressure, reflexology, energy healing, psychotherapy..................... need I go on................................... because their education, coupled with the Hippocratic Oath, added to the FDA approval barricade and malpractice concerns preclude them from either having the knowledge base or the freedom to make any suggestions. The words out of the mouth of Neurologist/ALS specialist Dr. (Ms.) Rowen hired to give me a third opinion-"the problem with Chinese medicine is that it doesn't cure you, it only makes you feel better...............you won't likely be walking by Christmas". This comes from a medical community offering one drug- Rilutek- that may give me an extra 3 months (is that 3 months walking and talking or 3 months a quadriplegic drooling from a feeding tube and filling a bed pan?) with the only side effects being liver failure, fatigue, cramping (more than normal?), etc., etc., @ 900 bucks a month. By and large, the medical community has been very kind in offering me help with my future needs as I travel my course. The problem is, I'm looking for a map to steer me elsewhere, and they haven't a single copy.

Finally, my symptoms. Around Christmas, I found it strangely difficult to swing a hammer over my head. My left arm felt weak and I had lost some flexibility as well. Since I'd had tendinitis in my shoulder years ago, had jammed the same shoulder tumbling off a 14' roof about 6 years ago, and had used my left to do most everything in my construction world, I didn't think it was anything serious. Months prior to this, I'd had some pain so I figured it was the awkward, over the head position that caused my problem. A week later, I found myself dropping plywood sheets due to a diminished grip. I also noticed my muscles twitching (now known as faciculating), also only in my left arm. January and February I worked around the problem, and in early March, I made an appointment with my soon to be retired doctor, thinking I had a pinched nerve. I learned a lot about what I didn't know in the ensuing weeks.
Briefly, this is how my symptoms have progressed to today: For a while, and during my first EMG, the twitching and ALS manifestation was almost entirely in my left arm. On occasion, my forearm constricts, like rigor, and I need to pull it out of it's rictus. No real pain...... a couple weeks later, at the time of my second EMG, the twitter action had cropped up in my gut, my right arm, and in my left leg. Not 24/7 like my left arm, but on occasion, like a burst here and there. Today I get bursts everywhere on my body. In early July I found myself walking funny. Again, no pain, but a jittery feeling. Almost bouncy. On steps, my knees bounce and roll. (I apologise for jumping tenses- some of this stuff comes and goes and so does my sense of then vs. now). Sometimes I limp, as my left leg is worse than the other. If I jump a couple of steps, my knees buckle. I am slower than I like. Partial paralysis makes it hard to write anything legible and virtually impossible to lift more than a newspaper. My right hand and arm have taken over the Alpha slot. My right is still strong, but I know it's not forever.
These things going on are unacceptable. I refuse to succumb to this. I will prevail, so don't jump the gun and start praying for my eternal soul........................