Re: fasciculations

Posted By CCF Neuro MD MJD on January 19, 1999 at 16:47:10:

In Reply to: fasciculations posted by IFV on January 01, 1999 at 03:20:21:






I have been told that I have benign fasciculations with cramps following neuro exam and EMG>  I have a few questions:
1.Do the cramps associated with this condition affect the whole muscle or part of it and how widespread can the cramps be
2.What is the general health of people with this condition - do they feel more fatigued than before it struck
3.Does the condition go away and if so how long can it take
4.What other conditions can present with widespread fasciculations other than ALS and benign fascics 'syndrome'
Many thanks



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People with Benign Fasciculations and Cramps do not have weakness or muscle wasting but some do have nonspecific complaints of fatigue or vague sensory complaints.  The cramps themselves are similair to normal cramps - painful, relieved after stretching - and can be quite widespread. When cramps do occur, to answer your first quiestion, on often feels it throughout the whole muscle but cna involve a portion of the muscle (in fact, on EMG, cramp potentials can be noted by the doctor even though the person doesn't complain of cramps).  As for improvement of fasciculation, a follow-up study in the early 1990's, called 120 people with Benign Fasciculations to see how they were doing (between 2 and 30 years after diagnosis) - importantly, none had developed ALS.  Between 50-60% noted improvement of their fasciculations, others noted no change - the minority of people actually noted worsening.  As for other disorders with fasciculations, they have been noted in root and peripheral nerve disease, but generally focally.  ALS and Benign Fasciculations are the disorders where widespread fasciculatiosn are seen.