Muscle Spams? Back probmes or ALS

Hi.  I am a 25 yr old healthy female.  Since October I have had really weird symptoms.  Lots of muscle spasms throughout entire body - back, legs, arms,lots in the stomach area.  I also have two eye floaters that developed at the same time.  I have no weakness at all and I have been seen by my neuro twice,  He did an MRI of brain, neck and back.  All ok except for protruding and bulging discs-  I have a L4-5 bulge and disc protrusion of thecal sac.  I have an intense burning everyday-worse when sitting that moves down rt leg.  Dr. ordered EMG and the results are as follows: Motor nerve conduction studies normal. F-wave studdues w/in normal limit.  Everything normal except:   There is slight prolongation of insertional activity throughout medial solcus musculate and... The right posterior tibila H-response was slightly prolonged.  There was "electrophysiological evidenece of Membrane instability/inflam process involving S1 root.  I was ultimately diag with lumbosacral radiculitis.  This diag was given by GP; however, neuro does not think my back is bad enough to cause this EMG result.  He thinks the inflamed nerve is caused by something else but does not knwo for sure.  My chiro and GP are convinced this is the expalnation for the pain.  

Everything I read on the internet regarding abnormal EMGs and muscle spasms point to ALS and I am so scared despite my nero saying I do not have it.  You am very strong he says.  Do these EMG results point to early ALS???  I found info on this site stating wide spread fascilitaions all over body is not usually seen in ALS.  I think I am scared b/c of the EMG results coupled with fasc.  I have had every blood test done and all are good.  I did get off of birth control several weeks before all of this began.  Could low estrogen cause spasms, eye floaters?  

I really just want to stop worrying about ALS-a hormone imbalance or body just being out of wack i can handle.
If this was ALS would the doctor performing the EMG have had more clues pointing to ALS? So sorry for mispelled word-at work and in a hurry

[Kevin Pho, MD]

I am not a neurologist, so my input into this question is limited.  

The diagnosis of ALS is made in combination of clinical exam, electrodiagnostic studies and imaging studies.  There can be many disorders that can mimic the symptoms of ALS - including nerve compression.  Some EMG findings can be as follows:

* Acute denervation findings include fibrillations and positive sharp waves

* Chronic denervation findings include large amplitude, long duration, complex motor unit action potentials (MUAPs) with neurogenic recruitment and a reduced interference pattern.

Nerve conduction studies should also be considered as part of the diagnostic workup.  

I would consider going for another neurological opinion if the symptoms continue and ALS is still suspected.  

I am not aware of low estrogen leading to spasm and eye floaters.

Followup with your personal physician is essential.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Kevin, M.D.
kevinmd_

Reference:
Elman et al.  Diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.  UptoDate, 2006.

[utnd]

I should have used the word twitches instead of spasms-these last a few secs and are gone before I can look at what is going on.  Also did not mention that the two floater - on ein each eye look like tiny bolts if lighning and they criss cross eachother - the reason I beleive they are possibly homone related is b/c they are WAY worse when I am on my period.  In fact all of the symptoms are.  Thank you.