When Andres Albaladejo was hit by a sudden trek in his left arm at just 39, he blamed a pinched nerve.
But the real cause was an incurable, declaration of life and ultimately fatal conditions that gradually robs patients of their ability to move, talk and even eat.
Only eight months after his first warning shot, the now 41-year-old from Tampa in Florida was diagnosed with amyotrophe lateral sclerosis (ALS)-the most common form of motor neuron disease.
As a claimed the life of Sandra Bullock’s partner Bryan Randall in 2023 and the acclaimed scientist Stephen Hawking has been familiar with it.
Now the former school sources officer has told about the early signs he suffered before his diagnosis, in an attempt to increase the awareness of the disorder in young people.
Involuntary muscle twitching is one of the most common signs of ALS, but can often be linked to stress and caffeine use.
The muscles can be subtle, strong enough to feel, but unlikely that they cause shocking or large, noticeable movements, and usually influence the eyelids, arms, hands, fingers, legs and feet.
Remembering of the heartbreaking diagnosis of Mr. Albaladejo, said his wife Carmen, who first remarked the Twitch in April 2023,: “It was bizarre. I asked if he could feel it if he did something to make it shake, but he said no.
The results confirmed the heartbreaking diagnosis – the young father had as and was told that he had two years to live
When Andres Albaladejo, at the time 39, from Tampa Florida in America in April 2023 noticed a muscle tractors, he didn’t think it was something sinister
“We thought it was a pinched nerve, but after a while he started to experience arm weakness and he could not hold on to his left arm.”
In June 2023 he went to the chiropractor and an X -ray showed that he had some nerve compression, which came as a relief for the couple.
But after his arm weakness could not disappear after the treatment, he was referred to a neurologist.
Mrs. Albaladejo said: ‘At the time, the doctors said they would plan him for a disk replacement operation for the disk that compressed his nerve.
“But before they continued and did that, they did three electromyographs (EMGs) where the neurologist was more and more worried while the vibrations drove to his chest.”
An EMG is a medical test that measures the electrical activity in muscles.
Mr. Albaladejo was then transferred to a as -clinic, where he was determined the condition and received a shocking prognosis of just two to five years.
He said: ‘I was deeply driven when I heard the news, as if my life was taken out of me – I still have to give so much of me.
The young father spends the time he has left behind to make as many memories as possible with his wife and the 11-year-old daughter Sophia
‘I am angry that I will not be here to see my little girl grow in the smart, friendly and beautiful woman I know she will be. I think that hurts the most.
‘Instead, she must see me fall apart before her eyes.
“I just hope that my daughter still sees me as her hero, while I face this disease with determination and strength.”
Mrs. Albaladejo added: ‘From a pinched nerve to eight months later diagnosed with a terminal disease – we were in shock and denial.
‘It was devastating, you can never imagine that it happens to you or a loved one.
‘Our lives changed completely in eight months. We thought it was nerve compression, and now Andres has a terminal disease with a prognosis of two to five years.
“It’s a lot to hear in one appointment.”
Mr. Albaladejo is currently taking a -medication to delay the progression of the disease.
There are currently no stem cell therapies if available in the US approved by the regulator, the Federal Drug Agency (FDA)
His friends and family also picked up $ 26,235 for him to get stem cell therapy on the Cayman Islands.
However, the effects are now worn out, noticed Mrs. Albaladejo and said they could not afford any other round of treatment.
She added: ‘We are confronted head -on with the disease and deal with it every day.
‘At the moment we get our affairs in order, because we cannot see promising treatments that we can afford.
“We try to stay strong and make the best out of our situation.”
The young father spends every time he has left behind to make as many memories as possible with his wife and the 11-year-old daughter Sophia.
About 5,000 adults in the UK have mnd and there is one in 300 risk to develop the condition in the course of a person’s life.
The life expectancy for about half of those with the condition is between only two and five years from the start of the symptoms. But these can deteriorate quickly.
Some people may live up to 10 years, and, in rarer circumstances, even longer.
Together with muscles, cramps and muscle weakness belong to the early signs of the condition, along with unclear speech and weight loss.
There is no remedy, but doctors can offer treatments to reduce the impact it has on a person’s life.
The exact cause is largely unknown, but the current research indicates a complex interplay of genetic, environmental and possible lifestyle factors – and it often becomes fit and healthy people.
Last year Leeds Rhinos star Rob Burrow died, 41, after a battle of four and a half years with the condition.
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