Symptoms

[Margaret22]

Dear MND Connect,

I have posted on another thread about my son and his symptoms and have had some lovely replies from people that have been very supportive.
However, I wondered if the team would take the time to read my sons symptoms and maybe have some suggestions about if if could be something else other than MND.
My son started with his symptoms 3 weeks ago and after seeing the GP she told him that he had the symptoms for MND and would need to be tested but that in the present situation it would be unlikely that he would see anyone for months.
As I have explained in my previous threads my son suffers from anxiety and this is obviously causing a great deal of stress.

His symptoms now are as follows;
His left hand is weak and he is struggling to use it and it feels like his whole arm is straining to complete a task. His whole hand and at times is arm is trembling and the muscles aches. His thumb muscles particularly aches. Even when he wakes up his left arm is aching and trembling and the bottom of his shoulder aches.

He also has pain in the right forearm with a shooting pain occasionally going down the arm. The thumb on this hand aches.
His ankles sometimes ache.
I would be so very grateful for your thoughts on these symptoms.

I would also like to take the opportunity to thank you for all the time you give to the running of this wonderful site.
Thank you.
Love Margaret.

[MNDConnect]

Hello Margaret

I'm sorry to hear of your son's concerns about symptoms. It is understandable that you are both concerned after the GP commented that he had the symptoms of MND. GPs can not diagnose MND. They do not have the experience or expertise to diagnose MND so the GP mentioning MND is very unhelpful.

The symptoms that you mention are not typical symptoms of MND. The initial symptoms of MND tend to be very focused on one particular area whereas your son's issues seem to be very widespread.

Weakness with MND isn't a feeling of weakness but clinical weakness which can be identified upon examination by a GP or a neurologist. Trembling and muscle aches aren't typical initial symptoms of MND and neither is pain or shooting pains.

No one except a neurologist can say for certain what is causing your son's symptoms but they do not sound like typical MND symptoms. Has the GP referred your son to a neurologist for tests?

Best Wishes

Rachel
MND Connect Adviser

[Margaret22]

Dear Rachel,

Thank you very much for taking the time to reply.

From all the reading and research I have done, I agree that the symptoms do not sound typical. I am slightly concerned that because he is so anxious and stressed he has "manifested" some himself.
The GP told him that due to Covid 19 he would have to wait months before she could send him for tests.
I have managed this morning to book him a private appointment for this week with a neurologist called Doctor Dominic Mort. I am hoping that we can get better information from him.

Thank you again for all of your good work.

Love Margaret x

[Ellie]

Hi Margaret.
(sorry for butting in on this thread!)

I think because anxiety is such a prevailing factor in this case that you’re doing the best thing for your son (and for you) in going for a private consultation - hopefully it’s money well spent.

Your son might want to write down any questions he has for the Doctor and it’s handy to bring a notebook and jot down what’s said for future reference.

Wishing you all the best and please let us know how it goes.

Love Ellie.

[Margaret22]

Hi Ellie,

I am always glad of your contributions so thank you for butting in.

I hope it is money well spent but we will see.

I have just spent over an hour on the phone to my son and have told him your recommendation about writing all questions and a list of symptoms down.

I am going to try to attend the appointment with him but have been told that will probably be impossible as the doctors are only siing one person at a time because of Covid 19.

I will certainly let you know how it goes and thank you for caring.

Love Margaret x