A 35-year-old mother of one from London, originally from Romania, has been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a terminal motor neurone disease. According to a report by the Daily Mail, Alexandra Apalaghiei first noticed symptoms in November 2021 and was confirmed with ALS in April 2023 after a series of tests. She now relies on a walking frame and wheelchair, and her family has launched a GoFundMe to cover escalating medical costs.

The 17-Month Diagnostic Journey: From Morning Stiffness to EMG

As the Daily Mail reports,Ms Apalaghiei began waking with extreme stiffness in November 2021. A fall in January 2022 exacerbated the pain, which she described as 'deep in the bones.' Her GP initially attributed the symptoms to the fall, and it was not until August 2022 that she received an ultrasound — which came back clear. Only after she mentioned frequent twitching in December 2022 was she referred for an Electromyography (EMG) test and Nerve Conduction Study (NCS). The results were analyzed over several months, leading to her ALS diagnosis in April 2023.

What the 20% Five-Year Survival Statistic Means for Alexandra

The diagnosis came with a grim prognosis: just 20% of ALS patients live longer than five years, and for many life expectancy is as little as two years, the Daily Mail notes. There are approximately 5,000 adults in the UK living with motor neurone disease (MND), of which ALS is the most common type.. The disease causes progressive muscle weakness, loss of mobility, speech difficulties, and eventually complete dependence on others. Ms Apalaghiei has already lost the ability to walk unaided and now uses a walking frame at home and a wheelchair outside. The lack of a cure and rapid progression makes early intervention critical,yet diagnostic delays are common. according to the MND Association, the average time from symptom onset to diagnosis in the UK is over 12 months — comparable to her own 17-month timeline.

The Financial Toll : A Family GoFundMe to Cover Mobility Equipment and Home Care

Since her diagnosis, Ms Apalaghiei has been forced to leave her job at a five-star hotel, placing significant financial strain on her family. Her partner now handles all household tasks, from bathing to school runs. to help cover medical expenses, mobility equipment, and additional home care support, relatives launched a GoFundMe fundraiser. The campaign reads: 'Together,we can help Alexandra focus on what matters most — spending time with loved ones and fighting this battle with dignity and hope.' The fundraiser highlights the gap in support even within a public health system like the NHS, where certain therapies and equipment may not be fully covered.

The Unanswered Question: Did a Fall Mask the Early Signs of ALS?

The Daily Mail report notes that Ms Apalaghiei’s GP initially dismissed her symptoms as consequences of her January 2022 fall. It remains unclear whether the fall truly caused temporary issues that overlapped with MND symptoms, or whether it was an independent event that coincidentally occurred during the disease’s onset. more broadly, the case raises the question of how often MND is misattributed to common injuries in younger patients — a demographic where the disease is less suspected. No evidence suggests that earlier diagnosis would change the outcome of ALS, but it could improve quality of life through earlier access to multidisciplinary care. Delayed diagnosis can rob patients of precious time to plan care and access clinical trials.