Subject: Re: fasciculations
Forum: The Neurology and Neurosurgery Forum
Topic Area:
Posted by CCF Neurology MD on February 19, 1998 at 13:52:51:
In Reply to: fasciculations posted by J. Markman on February 19, 1998 at 13:08:35:

I have had full body fasciculations for 2.5 years now. I have not had any others symptoms. Could this be als? I am curious if als typically presents itself this way, with twitching that lasts for 2.5 years. They are more frequent on some days, but i am never a day without them. I have had them in every part of my body.

Dear J.Markman,

ALS is a progressive neurological disorder that has whole body fasiculations as part of the diagnostic criteria.The average age of onset is 50 years. The symptoms typically begin in the hand (wasting of muscles,weakness-loss of fine motor skill such as buttoning shirts etc.). Fasiculations usually begin in those muscles that are weak. Other symptoms later mainifest including cramps, spasticity, and increased reflexes on neuro exam. There are other patterns of onset but they all have a fairly consistent gourpof symptoms that are progressive. 50% of patients succumb to symptoms in 3 years and 90% by 6 years. There is also another reason for fasiculations without any additional neurological symmptoms called Benign Fasiculations. It has no clinical significance. If you would like an evaluation by a neurologist at CCF, call 1-800-CCF-CARE. Ask for the neurology appointments secretary.

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