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I have urinary incontinence, stiffness in my legs, and trouble swallowing. Is it ALS?

This Premium Q&A, reviewed and published, features a real conversation between an iCliniq user and a physician.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

I am a 20-year-old male, and I am having a bunch of unexplained neurological symptoms lately. I have constant urine leakage when walking around and brain fog and confusion, but the most recent symptoms are the ones that make me the most worried. I have had stiffness or weakness in my right foot, and there is trouble in swallowing. The troubles swallowing are getting worse each day. These last two symptoms make me feel that I could have ALS. I went to my neurologist, and he ordered an EMG of my right leg, and it came back clean. I am still concerned I could have ALS. I have a couple of questions, can you please answer me. Could the EMG be wrong? Could the EMG have been done too soon? Would the EMG of my weak leg even pick up anything if I had bulbar onset ALS? Can you please help me?

Answered by Dr. Upendra Kumar Shah

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

First of all, do not worry. ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) neither causes urinary incontinence nor causes confusion, and your age is not compatible with ALS. I want to answer your questions:

  1. EMG (electromyography) could be wrong, but EMG should never be analyzed without a clinical diagnosis. Please discuss with your neurologist regarding clinical diagnosis.
  2. If the EMG was done in the weak muscles, it is not too soon.
  3. Yes, if there is weakness in the leg, sure, it can pick up.

Instead of going behind ALS, I would suggest you get diagnosed with the condition which is troubling you. Please consult with your neurologist and ask for a probable diagnosis.

Thank you.

Patient's Query

Okay well the reason I’m so scared it could be AL
Answered by Dr. Upendra Kumar Shah
Well Mr. Johnson, I understand your agony, I think i need to understand your problem first by detailed discussion, there is limitation of telemedicine, but sure, if you can make a video call we might be able to make a syndromic diagnosis with history and indirect physical examination, please share all medical documents in chronological order to inspect before call. The answer to your question is difficult one, though I can say yes, if it comes normal ALS is excluded. thank you.

Answered byDr. Upendra Kumar Shah

Medically reviewed byiCliniq medical review team

Published At May 10, 2021
Reviewed AtMay 10, 2021

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Upendra Kumar Shah
Dr. Upendra Kumar Shah

Neurology

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