Question Title: ALS -FASCICULATIONS

Forum: Neurology Forum
Topic: Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Posted by CCF Neurology M.D. on February 16, 1998 at 11:00:55:

In Reply to: ALS -FASCICULATIONS posted by Kevin ferguson on February 13, 1998 at 15:40:29:

: I have fasciculations. Mostly in one leg (the calf) and cannot be felt. They
are so small they can only be seen if I am looking closely. These fasciculations continue constantly. Several a minute. I was told that fasiculations on ALS sufferers act like this and that benign fasiculations come and go in different spots. I have had 2 normal emg's a month apart from 2 separate neurologists.
I had the 1st EMG about a week after the fasciculations started. Is there
any information that someone can share with me.
Thank you
"very scared" Mike

Dear Mike,

You are correct fasiculations are present in both ALS and benign fasiculations syndrome. Patients with ALS typically have symptoms that start around age 45. Symptoms include: weakness, cramping, fasiculations-focal or generalized, fatigue, difficulty talking, chewing, and swallowing. There are several characteristic features on neurological exam. ALS is a progressive disease. In contrast, Benign fasiculations are just that--fasiculations that occur in parts of the body without other neurological symptoms. They have no clinical significance. Your "normal" EMG reports as well as focal symptoms (that sound like your are hunting very closely for) suggest that this most likely represents a benign problem. If you are interested in getting an evaluation by a neurologist at CCF call 1-800-CCF-CARE, ask for the neurology appointments secretary.

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