SOME SPECIFIC FASCICULATION QUESTIONS

[Dan]

HI

I know neuros Do not like to make the distinction between ALS TWITCHES AND BENIGN FASCICULATIONS, yet PLEASE try to answer my questions even if the answers will be relevant only for the most part of cases:

1.What  pattern is more typical for the initial twitching of als(initial!): A. Random twitches that do not seem to settle in a specific muscle (RANDOM POPPING - "a twitch here a twitch there but many of them...
or..  B. specific areass/spots of fasciculations that are widespread, but every muscle have specific spots where ONLY there , you find twitches.

*I never get a twitch again in a plcace  where It has twitched
never 2 twitches in the same spots for a long time. there are many of them, but each time, different spot, different muscle
MINE IS A.

* based on your clinical experience, which pattern is more typical for the inital twitches of als (A OR B), when you examine the patient first time. (I read somewhere that in als , each muscle has specific spots/areas of twitching, and these spots of recrurtent fasciculatins ARE found  in clinical exam - so B is more appropriate. IS it?

2.I know that als has assymetric onset by definition. well, are there cases of Benign fasciculation you have seen of assymetric pattern also? How common is that?
I was diagnosed with benign fasciculations, yet 80% of my twitches are left sided (left leg and arm) so I would like to know ,base on your experience, how common is assymetric pattern of benign fasciculations (more twitches in one side or limb)???
ARE most benign fasciculation patients symmetric or assymetric?
**** DEAR NEURO, I KNOW THAT MOST NEUROLOGISTS DISLIKE THESE DISTINCTIONS, BUT PLEASE ,  TRY TO RELATE TO THESE 2 POINTS as specifically as you can, especially to PATTERN A,B , PATTERN YOU FIND MOSTLY IN ALS AND MY PATTERN(A), PLEASE!

BEST REGARDS, DAN!  

[Caden]

I have been diagnosed w/ BFS.  I have twitches all over.  Also have small local pains in muscles that go away in a few seconds, and sensations that a cramp is coming on, but no cramp does.  My neuro is baffled by the fact that my CPK is elevated.  Does anyone else out there know if CPK can be elevated in BFS or Cramp fasciculation syndrome?  

Caden

[Mark Bellariva]

Hi everyone. Hi had twitches for over three years.
I have tried B-12 and potassium for some time, but the only time I got some resolts was after consuming a small amount of alcohol. It really seems to solve the problem for some time. Why?

[Suzie Lee]

Im another one of those worriers.  My fears started in Feb.  98 when I had cramping all over my body and then twitches in my legs that made me feel like my 2 legs couldnt hold my body.  Ive had 2 emgs since then which didnt  detect even the  fasiculations.  I have lost a pant size and still feel weak and the neuros cant tell me whats wrong so of course I tend  to fear the worst.  The Dr sent me to a shrink even though I lost the reflexes in my knees.  I really feel for the people   that dont seem understood bye their drs.  Like its all in our heads.  I wish there was more research done on these devestating diseases so we would have to worry ourselves sick.

[skipatro]

Was doing more research on this twitching thing - have any of you taken Cipro - which is an antibiotic in the last year?  Found another web site where several people had taken it and then developed the twitches.  

[skipatro]

Another twitcher here - terrified also like the rest of you.  My question is, do you notice that the areas that have been twitching - for instance your legs or arms, seem not really weak but more like tired out - like you have been working out?  I can still walk fine, lift grocery bags, etc... type 100 wpm, but my legs just feel "pooped" out after a day of twitching.  I am scared about this because I am not sure if it is what would be considered "weakness" or just my muscles are tired from all the twitching going on.  I am presently being worked up by a neuro, but he is not much help in giving me answers.  I can honestly relate and sympathize with each and every one of you at how terrifying this is.  I am beginning to think, after reading so many different postings on various web sites that twitching itself is a disorder that needs to be looked into more.  So if you can give me some feedback, I would really appreciate it.  Als, does anyone else notice that their twitching stops when they consume alcohol?

[John]

how long were you on the ativan..& what was your dosage?.i too got got widesread twitching after i quit taking ativan!!