Home / Health / Fitness Fan's Grip Fades: An ALS Diagnosis Story
Fitness Fan's Grip Fades: An ALS Diagnosis Story
24 Oct
Summary
- Initially dismissed hand weakness as gym injury.
- Neck surgery offered no relief from progressing symptoms.
- ALS diagnosis arrived after extensive neurological testing.
In July of last year, a fitness enthusiast began experiencing unusual weakness in her right hand, initially attributing it to a gym injury or carpal tunnel syndrome. By August 2025, the weakness had progressed up her arm and affected her left hand, making simple tasks like gripping a pen and buttoning clothes increasingly difficult. Muscle atrophy became noticeable, and by October 2025, shortness of breath prompted a visit to her doctor.
Further investigations, including an MRI of her neck in early 2026, revealed disc compression and muscle atrophy, leading to Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF) surgery in April 2026. Despite the surgery, the decline continued, with occupational therapy confirming worsening grip strength and dexterity. A new symptom of choking on solid food emerged, prompting a referral to a neurologist.
Following a battery of tests, including needle EMG and neurofilament chain tests, an ALS diagnosis was delivered in August 2026. The realization of facing a progressive neurodegenerative disease has been devastating, yet she is determined to raise awareness for ALS, an often underfunded condition affecting individuals across all age groups.
Having recently left her teaching career due to breathlessness, she now focuses on staying active through physical therapy and cherishes time with her supportive son, friends, and family. She urges others experiencing profound weakness or muscle twitching to seek neurological evaluation promptly, regretting her own delay in seeking medical advice.
