problem worse when you're really worked up??

[colls22]

Most everyone on the site knows about my shoulder issues of late. Namely, have been told that a rotator cuff problem is to blame for the weakness in my left (dominant) shoulder. Have had my EMG, of course, but am still scared, mostly because I don't feel that the shoulder hurts enough to be a rotator cuff issue. I do know that some people with rotator cuff issues experience weakness with minimal or no pain, but still...

Oh yeah, I'm also convinced I've found some atrophy in the front of the shoulder, only really visible when I do a certain position. Apparently, if it is there is actually furthers a rotator cuff issue diagnosis, especially one that's been left untreated (which, if this is the same issue as first presented last year, it has been over about a year and a half).

Feel free to comment on any of the above, but my real question is this - I find that the "weakness" is worse when I'm really scared or thinking about it. Like, it feels like a challenge to pick up my cup to drink, but then when my husband does the "push your arms down" strength test, he says he feels no difference between the two at all. The doctor noted a strength difference of what he described as 0.5 (ie strength was 5 on right shoulder, and 4.5 on left). But then, if that's the case, surely picking up a glass, etc, would not feel so difficult...

Oh yeah, and my twitching has gone mad - random fires, buzzing in hands and feet, and the internal vibration again.

Hope you guys get what I'm asking...your thoughts?

[trainwreck]

Oh yeah, I'm also convinced I've found some atrophy in the front of the shoulder, only really visible when I do a certain position. Apparently, if it is there is actually furthers a rotator cuff issue diagnosis, especially one that's been left untreated (which, if this is the same issue as first presented last year, it has been over about a year and a half).

That statement actually answers your question Colls.  You can search the ends of the earth and not find one single person with a motor neuron disease that said "Well, I first noticed it a year and a half ago, but I can't tell if it hag gotten worse."  It just doesnt work that way.  Once the neurons start dying in a muscle group, they atrophy fast. 

Also, reading so many of the posts on here about twitching, there is a huge difference between "twitching" from anxiety and twitching from a MND.  Their twitching can be like ours, but it can also be at times, violent and painful.  Much like a muscle spasm. 

When my brother would get them, we would have to massage the muscle the get the tension out of it.  The spot of the twitch literally felt like it had a gold ball under the skin. 



 

[colls22]

would the neurologist, etc, know how to tell the difference between neurological weakness, and weakness due to injury? as well, would he and/or the physical therapist have noted atrophy, if it were present? i'm just afraid they missed it. and i'm also afraid that the issue i'm dealing with now, though in the same spot and the same-ish symptoms from last year, is MND, where that one wasn't.

...oh i'm just such a basketcase.

[trainwreck]

would the neurologist, etc, know how to tell the difference between neurological weakness, and weakness due to injury? as well, would he and/or the physical therapist have noted atrophy, if it were present? i'm just afraid they missed it. and i'm also afraid that the issue i'm dealing with now, though in the same spot and the same-ish symptoms from last year, is MND, where that one wasn't.

...oh i'm just such a basketcase.

This really does have you a bit of a basket case. It happens to all of us from time to time. Just remember the weakness in your case doesn't matter.  The EMG does.  That is what shows dying neural pathways.  Yours didnt.  So just need to get the spiraling anxiety and obsessive thoughts under control and then you will believe the tests. 

[colls22]

I really don't know how to get it under control...my brain seems to refuse to believe anything but my worst fear coming to life.

[ceh1354]

Have you ever had therapy (like CBT)? That would be my best suggestion. Meds are great, but they have side effects for some people, and usually when you go off of them and haven't learned any coping skills or changed your thinking patterns, it all comes back!
Good luck to you.