Man, 41, given just two years to live after mistaking ‘bizarre' symptom for a trapped nerve
WHEN Andres Albaladejo noticed a "bizarre" symptom in his left arm he didn't think it was anything sinister.
Little did the 41-year-old know it was the first sign of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and he would have just two to three years to live.
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4
Andres and his wife Carmen noticed a twitch in his left arm in 2023
Credit: SWNS
4
After seeing a neurologist, Andres was diagnosed with ALS
Credit: SWNS
Andres and his wife, Carmen Albaladejo, 39, noticed a
twitch
in his left arm in April 2023 but didn't think it was anything sinister.
A visit to the chiropractor confirmed Andres had a
The neurologist performed three EMGs - a medical test that measures the electrical activity in muscles - and referred Andres to an
The clinic said Andres had ALS - a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord - and told him and his family he had two to three years to live.
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Read more on 'trapped nerves'
In September 2024, Andres underwent stem cell therapy - to slow down or reverse the progression of the disease - which worked, but the effects have now worn off.
Carmen is now concentrating on making as many memories as possible with Andres and their 11-year-old daughter, Sophia.
Andres, a former school resource officer, from Tampa, Florida, US, said: "I was heartbroken when I heard the
news
, like my life was being taken from me piece by piece - I still have so much of me to give.
"I'm angry that I won't be here to see my little girl grow into the smart, kind, and beautiful woman I know she will be. I think that hurts the most.
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"Instead, she has to watch me fall apart in front of her eyes.
"I just hope that throughout all of this, my daughter still sees me as her hero, as I face this disease with determination and strength."
Eric Dane's Brave Battle: ALS Diagnosis and a Triumphant Return to Work
Carmen noticed Andres' left arm was twitching in April 2023, but they both thought it was a pinched nerve.
Soon after, Andres started experiencing weakness in his left arm, which he thought was strange.
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His wife, Carmen, a senior accountant, said: "I noticed the twitching in his left arm and asked what was going on. IT WAS BIZARRE.
"I asked if he could feel it, if he was doing anything to make it twitch, but he said no.
"We thought it was a pinched nerve, but over time, he started experiencing arm weakness, and he wasn't able to grip with his left arm."
Two to five years to live
In June 2023, Andres went to the chiropractor, and an X-ray showed he did have some nerve compression, which came as a relief to the couple.
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After treatments with the chiropractor, the arm weakness did not go away, and Andres was sent to a neurologist.
Carmen said: "At the time, the doctors said they were going to schedule him for a disc replacement surgery for the disc that was compressing his nerve.
"But before they went ahead and did that, they did three EMGs with the neurologist becoming more concerned each time as the twitching was travelling to his chest."
Andres was then transferred to an ALS clinic, where, after a strength test, he was diagnosed with ALS - the same condition Stephen Hawking had - and given a prognosis of two to five years.
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Carmen and Andres were shocked and confused by the diagnosis, so they asked for a second
opinion
, which confirmed the ALS diagnosis.
From having a pinched nerve to being diagnosed with a terminal disease eight months later - we were in shock and denial
Andres Albaladejo
Carmen said: "From having a pinched nerve to being diagnosed with a terminal disease eight months later - we were in shock and denial.
"It was devastating, you can never imagine it happening to you or a loved one.
"In eight months, our lives completely changed. We thought it was nerve compression, and now Andres has a terminal illness with a prognosis of two to five years.
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"It is a lot to hear in one appointment."
Andres is currently taking an ALS medication to slow the progression of the disease.
In September 2024, friends, family and strangers clubbed together to raise $26,235 (around £19,323) for stem cell therapy in the Cayman Islands in a bid to attempt to slow down or reverse the progression of the disease.
4
Andres is currently taking medication to slow down the progression of ALS
Credit: SWNS
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4
The family are now trying to get their affairs in order, as they can't find any further treatments they can afford
Credit: SWNS
Currently, there are no FDA-approved stem cell therapies for ALS available in the US, but there are several trials to investigate the safety and efficacy of using stem cells to potentially slow or halt the progression.
Carmen said the treatment worked, but the effects have now worn off, and they can't afford another round of treatment.
She said: "We are facing the disease head-on and dealing with it every day.
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"At this point, we are getting our affairs in order, as we can not see any promising treatments we can afford.
"We are trying to stay strong and make the best out of our situation."
Carmen recently bought a book for their daughter, Sofia, to sit with Andres and fill out so she can have memories of her dad.
Carmen said: "It is called 'about my father' a book that she will put together.
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"She will get to ask him questions about his childhood, and get to know him from a different perspective.
"It allows her to have something that she could treasure forever."
What is ALS?
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal type of motor neuron disease.
It causes progressive degeneration of nerve cells in the spinal cord and brain.
Early symptoms may include:
Muscles weakness and twitching - this can be in the arms, legs, or even the tongue, causing difficulty with fine motor skills, such as gripping objects, or difficulty with speech.
Muscle cramps - These can be painful and may affect various muscles, including those in the hands and feet.
Fasciculations - These are muscle twitches that can be persistent and may interfere with sleep.
Tripping and falling - Loss of motor control in the legs and feet can lead to difficulties with balance and coordination.
Dropping things - Hand weakness can make it difficult to hold and manipulate objects.
Slurred speech - Difficulty speaking and swallowing can occur due to weakness in the muscles controlling speech and swallowing.
Difficulty swallowing - This can make eating and drinking challenging.
The exact cause of ALS is unknown, but it's believed to be a combination of genetic and environmental factors.
While about 10 per cent of ALS cases are familial (meaning they have a family history), the majority are sporadic, occurring without a known family history.
If you suspect you have ALS, the first step is to see your GP.
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The Irish Sun
a day ago
- The Irish Sun
Man, 41, given just two years to live after mistaking ‘bizarre' symptom for a trapped nerve
WHEN Andres Albaladejo noticed a "bizarre" symptom in his left arm he didn't think it was anything sinister. Little did the 41-year-old know it was the first sign of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and he would have just two to three years to live. Advertisement 4 Andres and his wife Carmen noticed a twitch in his left arm in 2023 Credit: SWNS 4 After seeing a neurologist, Andres was diagnosed with ALS Credit: SWNS Andres and his wife, Carmen Albaladejo, 39, noticed a twitch in his left arm in April 2023 but didn't think it was anything sinister. A visit to the chiropractor confirmed Andres had a The neurologist performed three EMGs - a medical test that measures the electrical activity in muscles - and referred Andres to an The clinic said Andres had ALS - a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord - and told him and his family he had two to three years to live. Advertisement Read more on 'trapped nerves' In September 2024, Andres underwent stem cell therapy - to slow down or reverse the progression of the disease - which worked, but the effects have now worn off. Carmen is now concentrating on making as many memories as possible with Andres and their 11-year-old daughter, Sophia. Andres, a former school resource officer, from Tampa, Florida, US, said: "I was heartbroken when I heard the news , like my life was being taken from me piece by piece - I still have so much of me to give. "I'm angry that I won't be here to see my little girl grow into the smart, kind, and beautiful woman I know she will be. I think that hurts the most. Advertisement Most read in Health "Instead, she has to watch me fall apart in front of her eyes. "I just hope that throughout all of this, my daughter still sees me as her hero, as I face this disease with determination and strength." Eric Dane's Brave Battle: ALS Diagnosis and a Triumphant Return to Work Carmen noticed Andres' left arm was twitching in April 2023, but they both thought it was a pinched nerve. Soon after, Andres started experiencing weakness in his left arm, which he thought was strange. Advertisement His wife, Carmen, a senior accountant, said: "I noticed the twitching in his left arm and asked what was going on. IT WAS BIZARRE. "I asked if he could feel it, if he was doing anything to make it twitch, but he said no. "We thought it was a pinched nerve, but over time, he started experiencing arm weakness, and he wasn't able to grip with his left arm." Two to five years to live In June 2023, Andres went to the chiropractor, and an X-ray showed he did have some nerve compression, which came as a relief to the couple. Advertisement After treatments with the chiropractor, the arm weakness did not go away, and Andres was sent to a neurologist. Carmen said: "At the time, the doctors said they were going to schedule him for a disc replacement surgery for the disc that was compressing his nerve. "But before they went ahead and did that, they did three EMGs with the neurologist becoming more concerned each time as the twitching was travelling to his chest." Andres was then transferred to an ALS clinic, where, after a strength test, he was diagnosed with ALS - the same condition Stephen Hawking had - and given a prognosis of two to five years. Advertisement Carmen and Andres were shocked and confused by the diagnosis, so they asked for a second opinion , which confirmed the ALS diagnosis. From having a pinched nerve to being diagnosed with a terminal disease eight months later - we were in shock and denial Andres Albaladejo Carmen said: "From having a pinched nerve to being diagnosed with a terminal disease eight months later - we were in shock and denial. "It was devastating, you can never imagine it happening to you or a loved one. "In eight months, our lives completely changed. We thought it was nerve compression, and now Andres has a terminal illness with a prognosis of two to five years. Advertisement "It is a lot to hear in one appointment." Andres is currently taking an ALS medication to slow the progression of the disease. In September 2024, friends, family and strangers clubbed together to raise $26,235 (around £19,323) for stem cell therapy in the Cayman Islands in a bid to attempt to slow down or reverse the progression of the disease. 4 Andres is currently taking medication to slow down the progression of ALS Credit: SWNS Advertisement 4 The family are now trying to get their affairs in order, as they can't find any further treatments they can afford Credit: SWNS Currently, there are no FDA-approved stem cell therapies for ALS available in the US, but there are several trials to investigate the safety and efficacy of using stem cells to potentially slow or halt the progression. Carmen said the treatment worked, but the effects have now worn off, and they can't afford another round of treatment. She said: "We are facing the disease head-on and dealing with it every day. Advertisement "At this point, we are getting our affairs in order, as we can not see any promising treatments we can afford. "We are trying to stay strong and make the best out of our situation." Carmen recently bought a book for their daughter, Sofia, to sit with Andres and fill out so she can have memories of her dad. Carmen said: "It is called 'about my father' a book that she will put together. Advertisement "She will get to ask him questions about his childhood, and get to know him from a different perspective. "It allows her to have something that she could treasure forever." What is ALS? Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal type of motor neuron disease. It causes progressive degeneration of nerve cells in the spinal cord and brain. Early symptoms may include: Muscles weakness and twitching - this can be in the arms, legs, or even the tongue, causing difficulty with fine motor skills, such as gripping objects, or difficulty with speech. Muscle cramps - These can be painful and may affect various muscles, including those in the hands and feet. Fasciculations - These are muscle twitches that can be persistent and may interfere with sleep. Tripping and falling - Loss of motor control in the legs and feet can lead to difficulties with balance and coordination. Dropping things - Hand weakness can make it difficult to hold and manipulate objects. Slurred speech - Difficulty speaking and swallowing can occur due to weakness in the muscles controlling speech and swallowing. Difficulty swallowing - This can make eating and drinking challenging. The exact cause of ALS is unknown, but it's believed to be a combination of genetic and environmental factors. While about 10 per cent of ALS cases are familial (meaning they have a family history), the majority are sporadic, occurring without a known family history. If you suspect you have ALS, the first step is to see your GP.
The Irish Sun
3 days ago
- The Irish Sun
Dad-of-two placed into coma after Turkey holiday as chef, 55, ‘caught rare disease from dirty 4-star hotel'
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The Irish Sun
4 days ago
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Over half of Brits feel lonely at least once a month… but are ashamed to admit it, study shows
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The research was commissioned by audio brand, Advertisement Read more on Motors As part of this partnership and in support of Loneliness Awareness Week, Pure will be donating 150 radios to individuals across the UK who are looking for support through a period of loneliness. Dr Lalitaa [COR], behaviouralist psychologist and expert in emotional wellbeing, commented: 'Loneliness remains a taboo subject, often shrouded in shame and stigma. 'But human connection is a basic psychological need – one that's increasingly difficult to fulfil in today's fast-paced, digital world. 'It's encouraging to see initiatives like this that provide simple, tangible comfort and help people feel part of something again.' Advertisement Most read in Motors Tara Fisher, COO from Marmalade Trust added: "Loneliness is a natural human emotion that we are all likely to experience in our lifetime. 'But there is still a stigma around loneliness, which means a significant portion of the population are reluctant to speak about these feelings to others – either because they don't feel they have anyone to talk to or are worried about doing so.' Despite these feelings of shame around loneliness, nearly eight in 10 (79 per cent) acknowledged it as a common phenomenon among the general population. Women were also found to feel lonelier than men – with only 16 per cent of women saying they never feel lonely, compared to 26 per cent of men. Advertisement But perceptions about the generations most affected were not entirely accurate – with 19 per cent of all respondents believing the Silent Generation (born 1928-1945) is impacted the most by loneliness. However, Gen Zs (born 1996-2011) specifically reported feeling lonelier than any other age group, with one third feeling this way a few times a week and 11 per cent even experiencing this every single day. 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Nearly four in 10 (39 per cent) of all respondents also claimed to feel lonelier now than they did five years ago, primarily because it's now harder to meet people. Advertisement Other reasons included changes in personal relationships (23 per cent), financial stress (22 per cent), and lower self-esteem (20 per cent). The top locations people reported feeling lonely were also established as at home alone (59 per cent), in a crowd (27 per cent), and when having a meal by themselves (26 per cent). Perhaps to stave off this lonely feeling, over half (52 per cent) are more likely to listen to the radio when at home alone, according to data. Other than listening to the news and their favourite music, 38 per cent utilise their broadcast boxes for background noise (38 per cent), company (20 per cent), and making the house feel less quiet (19 per cent). Advertisement A further 16 per cent specified listening to the radio helps them to feel less lonely, with 15 per cent liking to hear the sound of other people's voices, and 13 per cent enjoying being part of the conversation. Stations providing the best company were also identified as pop music (30 per cent), oldies music (24 per cent), and talk radio stations (21 per cent). Hubert Eiter, spokesperson for Pure, which is donating £5 for every Pure radio sold between June 9 – July 9, 2025 in support of Marmalade Trust, said: 'Pure has been active in supporting loneliness charities over many years and we are proud to partner with the Marmalade Trust this year. 'It's great to see that everyday listening can bring a lot of comfort to people, as it has the power to immediately make a room feel livelier and less quiet – we love the fact that radio is able to provide some company for those who feel lonely from time to time.' Advertisement 2 Regionally, Londoners were most likely to report feeling Credit: SWNS
