Doctor, can we distinguish normal vs pathological fasciculation?

[jvzlvz]

My dad passed away last year from ALS.  Now I am experiencing muscular fasciculations (I am a 48-year-old woman).  Could this be normal, how do we distinguish between normal "twitches" and something that may be pathological?  The frequency?  I am recording the time and location of "twitches" that occur with a frequency greater than 3x/10 seconds in the same place.  Just noticed this in the last three months.

[painkiller99]

Whether you are normal or have ALS, the clinical presentation of fasciculations would be the same and would be the visible twitching of the muscle which are seen on EMG as fasciculation potentials. By themselves, it would be very difficult to determine whether they are benign or malignant.

There are, however, some reports of clinical experiences that the frequency and location of fasciculations could be predictive of ALS, noting that those with less fasciculations and at different locations are more likely to develop ALS than those with more frequent fasciculations occuring at the same location.

You should consult your neurologist if you want to learn more about your condition.

[Caliber2005]

Hi,
Fasciculation’s are involuntary contractions and twitching of groups of muscle fibers. Fasciculation’s that occurs frequently should be evaluated by neurologist to distinguish them of being pathological.

[jvzlvz]

Thank you very much!