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Neurology (Expert Forum)
What else?
This forum is for questions and support regarding neurology issues such as: Alzheimer's Disease, ALS, Autism, Brain Cancer, Cerebral Palsy, Chronic Pain, Epilepsy, Fibromyalgia, Headaches, MS, Neuralgia, Neuropathy, Parkinson's Disease, RSD, Sleep Disorders, Stroke, Traumatic Brain Injury
What else?
by Sunbran, Oct 12, 2004 12:00AM
Hi, I am a 30yr old female with no significant family hx. I do, however have a hx of anxiety disorder. About 3wks ago I came down with a head cold or some kind of virus and the exact same day I started twitching like crazy, all over, even my face. I also started having myoclonic jerking which was obviously more noticeable at night when I was laying still. A few days later, my left calf started becomming what I would describe as "stiff" at times but it didn't hurt and would come and go. Then I started having like achiness in both legs, thighs down but it also would come and go. No weakness though. Went to neurologist, MRI neg. EEG neg. EMG neg. NCS neg. CK, electrolytes, ANA, sed rate, etc. all negative. In office neuro strength normal. All that showed up in labs was that I have antibodies for epstein barr virus but not recently. I am so frustrated and scared and I want to know if it's possible that I could have ALS or MS and it be so early in the disease process that it hasn't caused demyelination or denervation or something that would show up? Also, is there something else that we could look for that could cause this? I am still twitching and having the stiffness every day. Thank you in advance, Brandi
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-Neuro-M.D.-CS, Oct 16, 2004 12:00AM
Without examining you I cannot make a clinical diagnosis. Your doctor performed all the major tests and labs that are appropriate. Although it is impossible for me to say for certain that you do not have ALS or MS, I think it would be unlikely given the testing and a normal examination. If you are still concerned, seeing a second neurologist to review the findings would be reasonable. In addition to the lab tests already performed, checking vitamin B12 and thyroid would be reasonable. Good luck.
Thanks, Brandi
Here's what I have learned over the months. If your EMG and NCS was normal, then you can rule out a diagnosis of ALS with the symptoms that you had at the time of the test. From what I understand, the nerves will degenerate long before you start feeling any symptoms from ALS. If you have symptoms, it will show up on the EMG and NCS. The clear MRI means you can probably rule out MS, although the demyelination doesn't always show up there.
I was on Xanax when I had my EMG and NCS and was told that this had no effect on the test. I don't know what the drug is that you are on, but if it is similar to Xanax, then it might not have an effect either.
I have found that the myoclonus jerks that I was experiencing were especially bad when I felt most anxious. I had them so bad the first night I was awake the entire night! As I started to calm down, they decreased and I very rarely have an incident anymore.
I don't know how much this helps, but once I realized that the big stuff had been ruled out, I was able to cope a little better. You have had the same tests that I have had, and I have been told the ALS, MS, and Parkinson's have all been eliminated as the cause of my problems. Now if I could just figure out what it IS!!! Caroline