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Avatar universal

please read if you are worried about als

I have never posted on any medical discussion forum but I have spent an enormous amount of time reading other posts looking for information. About a month ago, I hit rock bottom. My left thumb started twitching and it twitched for about 2 and 1/2 weeks. I made the mistake of googing it and discovered it was a symptom of ALS. I started having panic attacks, became depressed and was convinced I might have ALS. I started getting other twitches all over, but very randomly, nothing like my thumb. I just went to the neuro yesterday and I am completely over my fear. He said that you CANNOT have als without having weakness. He said it's like saying you have the flu but no fever or chills. He said that the websites never say this and the weakness ALWAYS comes first. He also said that ALS twitches are different than your normal twitches. That ALS twitches can't normally be felt, only seen. IF you are aware of your twitches, chances are, NO ALS. But without weakness, definitely no ALS. I had an emg and it was normal also. This doctor also runs a Lou Gherig's clinic so he is highly qualified. If you are reading this, please please please, don't put yourself through what I did. Get off the internet, and calm down. I wasted so much time and energy on something that wasn't real. I hope this helps someone.
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Avatar universal
Wow thanks so much Loohoo completely agree, people i'm not by any means a doctor, BUT i am a hyperchondriac - and i have noticed with my twitches as soon as you pay attention to them they all of a sudden get a lot worse.. if u worry about it chances are you'll dream about it like i have done and i have been obsessed in this horrible thing. After being diagnosed last year with BFS in my hands my foot is now constantly twitching, beacuse i too went on internet and know about ALS... I think Loohoo is right the main thing you would notice is weakness. Try magnesium and other natural ways and of couse neurologists can be good for hard facts. however even after mine told me i was clear i didn't belive her till time passed. So all we can do is try as much as possible to relax because stress does not help one bit!
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Avatar universal
I am a 36 year old female.  My Mother and Grandfather died from Motor Neuron Disease.  In the past couple of days I have started getting fasciculations in the base of my right thumb, making it twitch.  Soon after it was followed by a strong weakness which comes and goes, especially when I'm relaxing watching TV or in bed.  The weakness was really bad yesterday morning and last half the morning.  I could hardly hold a mug my hand was so weak, my grip was very weak.  Then it wore off.  Last night the twitching and weakness came again and was still there after I went to bed.  This morning the twitching was gone but extreme weakness in my right hand which lasted hours.  I started imagining it was going up my arm.  It was not as bad as the day before but I find it very hard to make a tight fist.  It went later on but I am very worried.  Naturally I am panicing as there is a family history there, regardless of the fact that the doctors told us it is extremely unlikely that me or my three siblings would every get it.  I do not know how they are so sure.  My Grandfather died from it in 1975 and my Mother and her three siblings were told the same thing.  Understandably there was so family history known then so they probably thought it was sporadic.  But now it's affected two generations - I think it's more than likely going to pop up again somewhere, it's not the end of it.  If I have the weakness and/or twitching again tomorrow morning, I will go to the doctor.
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Avatar universal
when you say the twitches are accompanied by weakness? does that mean that the twitches themselves make the limb feel weak or just weakness in general? I am 22 years old and have been driving myself crazy over this. I run 2 miles a day, walk in 4 inch heels everyday, and notice no real "weaknesses", but for example i walked up a flight of stairs yesterday and my legs felt a bit tired - nothing that would cause me to stop, though.

i take it this isn't the "weakness" your doctor is speaking of? you're right - i need to stop consulting dr. google!!
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