[55M] Experiencing progressive weakness and muscle symptoms

What might be happening

Based on the symptoms you've described, there are several possible conditions that could be causing your symptoms:

• Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS): Also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, this is a specific disorder that causes the death of neurons controlling voluntary muscles. Some early symptoms include twitching, cramping, or stiffness of muscles; muscle weakness affecting an arm or a leg; and slurred and nasal speech. This condition is progressive, meaning the symptoms get worse over time, eventually leading to the loss of the ability to move, speak, eat, or breathe.

  • There is currently no cure for ALS, but there are treatments available that can help manage symptoms, increase survival, and improve quality of life. Riluzole (Rilutek) and edaravone (Radicava) are two drugs that have been approved by the FDA for treatment of ALS.

• Myasthenia Gravis: A chronic autoimmune neuromuscular disease that causes weakness in the skeletal muscles, which are responsible for breathing and moving parts of the body, including the arms and legs. The name myasthenia gravis, which is Latin and Greek in origin, means "grave, or serious, muscle weakness."

  • Treatment for myasthenia gravis includes medications to help improve neuromuscular transmission and increase muscle strength, and immunosuppressive drugs to control the production of abnormal antibodies.

• Multiple Sclerosis (MS): A potentially disabling disease of the brain and spinal cord (central nervous system). In MS, the immune system attacks the protective sheath (myelin) that covers nerve fibers and causes communication problems between your brain and the rest of your body.

  • There is no cure for multiple sclerosis. However, treatments can help speed recovery from attacks, modify the course of the disease and manage symptoms.

Please note that these are just possibilities and not a definitive diagnosis. It's important to consult with a healthcare professional who can evaluate your symptoms and medical history in order to provide a proper diagnosis.

What you can do

The best course of action is to seek immediate medical attention. Given the severity and duration of your symptoms, it's important to get evaluated by a healthcare professional as soon as possible. They may refer you to a neurologist for further evaluation and testing, which may include blood tests, imaging studies like an MRI, and possibly a nerve conduction study or electromyography (EMG) to assess the health of your muscles and the nerves that control them.

What you should look out for

You should seek immediate medical attention if you experience any of the following:

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Difficulty swallowing or choking
• Increased weakness or loss of mobility
• Rapid progression of existing symptoms
• New symptoms not previously discussed

Remember, it's important to consult with a healthcare professional who can evaluate your symptoms and medical history in order to provide a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.