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Neurology (Expert Forum)
Do I have ALS ?
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
Do I have ALS ?
by JMSS, Feb 24, 2005 12:00AM
I am 38 year old male. Here are my current symptoms which initially started about 1 year ago. Muscle twitching which can move throughout my body. Some place’s like feet, calf’s, hand’s, neck and thigh’s happen more often. Neck pain ,stiffness and perceived weakness can still hold up my head fine. Right foot, ankle, leg feel weak with stiffness also have pain and slight cramping/tightness . My leg seems to have gotten worse over the last six months. I have a desk job and sit for many hours. Leg really becomes stiff after that. I can walk off most of the stiffness but not 100%. Right arm and hand also feel slightly weak but work fine. I can still walk with no real issue’s except for pain in foot and tightness in calf and thigh . Overall joint popping and pain. Lump feeling in throat. Strength seems fine overall. Exercise intolerance has also been a problem. Feel shaky and twitching increases after exercise. I use to be a five mile a day runner. Since stopping the exercise I have gained 75 pounds. Shooting pains that feel like you are getting hit by a lightning bolt. I have seen three different neuro’s two at University of Chicago over the last year. The last visit to my local neuro was on 2-6-05. Exam’s have all been normal including strength and reflexes. Test’s done so far are. MRI of brain w/contrast normal. MRI of Cspine normal. Blood work for CPK levels done twice once it was slightly elevated other normal. Electrolyte’s normal, EEG normal. Two EMG’s one by local neuro other by University of Chicago both came back completely normal. All the doctor’s seem to think anxiety is an issue. They say I am looking into thing’s to much. Does this sound like ALS? Is this possibly BFS? I can not get this off my mind. Thank you for your valuable time.
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-Neuro-M.D.-CS, Feb 25, 2005 12:00AM
Fasciculations or twitching in the absence of testable/constant muscle weakness or muscle wasting, especially over time, is unlikely to be ALS. With your normal EMGs this makes it more unlikely, and if testing with the neurological exam or EMG in the next few months is normal then it is even more unlikely
I cannot tell you for sure without examining you myself
Benign fasciculations (as in BFS) tend to be more widespread, and can increase with exercise.
Apart from your desk job, did you regularly maintain your fitness? - even not exercising for a few months can make one unfit and more likely to experience muscle aches and pains. Try to maintain a regular exercise and stretching program (keeping in mind that fasciculations may increase with exercise) and watch for results within a few weeks
Good luck
I cannot tell you for sure without examining you myself
Benign fasciculations (as in BFS) tend to be more widespread, and can increase with exercise.
Apart from your desk job, did you regularly maintain your fitness? - even not exercising for a few months can make one unfit and more likely to experience muscle aches and pains. Try to maintain a regular exercise and stretching program (keeping in mind that fasciculations may increase with exercise) and watch for results within a few weeks
Good luck
Good luck