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Strange Symptoms
Hi,
I am 29 yr old male that has been having some strange symptoms develope over the past 4 weeks. I have yet to see a neurologist because I am unsure whether it is warranted at this point in time.
1)
It started when I started to notice that my middle finger started bumping or leaning into my other finger ( this finger being the one next to the pinky.)
2)
I also was experiencing on-gain / off-gain pins and needles in both hands. Sometimes they would last for hours and other times only for a couple of minutes. This seems to have subsided over the past couple of days.
3)
I have experienced weakness in my fingers and forarm but with no loss of strength. This symptom has dissappeared after a few days and my arm and hands feel fine.
4)
I also have been experiencing twitching. Most of the twitching seems to cause a joint to move. The place where it is consistent is in my thumb and index finger and sometime my middle finger. This has been observed sporatically through out the day.
5)
This twitching also occurs in my ankle,shoulder and hip but is less common. They are mostly observed at night when i am lying in my bed just before i go to sleep. There is also other migratory twiching that seems to occur anywhere in my body that doesn't cause joints to move. They are small lasting only a few seconds.
6)
I also have had some strange leg pain that occurs in both calves and in lower thigh in front/back of the leg. It feels sore like I have exersized it even though I have not. I am not sure if I can call it a cramp because there is no obseverable "muscle pull" in the calves or thighs. It would crop up all of a sudden and stay that way for a day or a 1/2 day and then leave. It appears to occur at the same time in both legs but more in the left leg then the right one. I have not observed any loss of strength in the legs but there was a period of time where my knee would give a little (simliar to someone kicking the back of the leg) but this appears to of cleared up.
As you would guess all of these suspicious things have made my a little nervous.I have thought to myself that maybe this is just stress but then again it seems akward that stress would cause all this especially the leg pain. Again, It has all occurred in a short period of time (4 weeks).
I have a few questions
1)definition of a cramp?? Are they mostly like a "charlie horse" if they are found in the leg??
2) given the time span, does it make sense to see a doctor about this?
3) What are the probable things that could cause these symptoms?
4) If I consult a neurologist, How do i find out what doctors are good and which ones are not so good?
I am 29 yr old male that has been having some strange symptoms develope over the past 4 weeks. I have yet to see a neurologist because I am unsure whether it is warranted at this point in time.
1)
It started when I started to notice that my middle finger started bumping or leaning into my other finger ( this finger being the one next to the pinky.)
2)
I also was experiencing on-gain / off-gain pins and needles in both hands. Sometimes they would last for hours and other times only for a couple of minutes. This seems to have subsided over the past couple of days.
3)
I have experienced weakness in my fingers and forarm but with no loss of strength. This symptom has dissappeared after a few days and my arm and hands feel fine.
4)
I also have been experiencing twitching. Most of the twitching seems to cause a joint to move. The place where it is consistent is in my thumb and index finger and sometime my middle finger. This has been observed sporatically through out the day.
5)
This twitching also occurs in my ankle,shoulder and hip but is less common. They are mostly observed at night when i am lying in my bed just before i go to sleep. There is also other migratory twiching that seems to occur anywhere in my body that doesn't cause joints to move. They are small lasting only a few seconds.
6)
I also have had some strange leg pain that occurs in both calves and in lower thigh in front/back of the leg. It feels sore like I have exersized it even though I have not. I am not sure if I can call it a cramp because there is no obseverable "muscle pull" in the calves or thighs. It would crop up all of a sudden and stay that way for a day or a 1/2 day and then leave. It appears to occur at the same time in both legs but more in the left leg then the right one. I have not observed any loss of strength in the legs but there was a period of time where my knee would give a little (simliar to someone kicking the back of the leg) but this appears to of cleared up.
As you would guess all of these suspicious things have made my a little nervous.I have thought to myself that maybe this is just stress but then again it seems akward that stress would cause all this especially the leg pain. Again, It has all occurred in a short period of time (4 weeks).
I have a few questions
1)definition of a cramp?? Are they mostly like a "charlie horse" if they are found in the leg??
2) given the time span, does it make sense to see a doctor about this?
3) What are the probable things that could cause these symptoms?
4) If I consult a neurologist, How do i find out what doctors are good and which ones are not so good?
I have been having tingling in my hands and feet and pain in my calves which sometimes subsides when I stretch them. I noticed this started just after I had a large filling drilled out for a crown. Anyone else have dental work done before onset of these mysterious symptoms. Also I had to have two shots of novacaine.
Wondering if I can get a reply by the CCF Neuro. I have had the same symptoms as John going on "5" years. Been to three neuros with 2 negative EMG's/NCS's. Faciculations started after a bad virus (I think) in December 95. Since that time, my muscles are very achy from tightness and shakey. Feel fasics in stomach and diaphram now. Feel I have trouble breathing, buts have had this before and its gotten better, then worse. See slight atrophy in hands and feet. Throut also "clicks" when I swallow.
Have not observed significant weakness over the past four years and still try to weight lift. I can bench press 220 lbs. when I feel good. Family doc put me on Ultram a year ago for the muscle pain. I only take 2 a day and when I do, I feel much better - gets me through the day.
These symptoms are very bizarre and I am still worried about ALS.
Could it be Issac's syndrome. I don't think it is stress related due to the time frame. Only the people who have this know how bad it is, even when you try not to focus on it. Any suggestions? I am a successful business man and seldomly go to the doctor.
Have not observed significant weakness over the past four years and still try to weight lift. I can bench press 220 lbs. when I feel good. Family doc put me on Ultram a year ago for the muscle pain. I only take 2 a day and when I do, I feel much better - gets me through the day.
These symptoms are very bizarre and I am still worried about ALS.
Could it be Issac's syndrome. I don't think it is stress related due to the time frame. Only the people who have this know how bad it is, even when you try not to focus on it. Any suggestions? I am a successful business man and seldomly go to the doctor.
Hello John...found this website in desperation...and very pleased I did too! I have very similar symptoms. Ive had strong fasciulations all over for last six months. I noticed a very slight tremor at the same time but this is probably incidental. Over the past two weeks Ive been experiencing some painful contractions of muscles and now have what feels like a 'pulled muscle' in my arms. Also have developed a 'buzzing/tingling' sensation in left foot that surges around every 2 seconds. Ive seen a neurologist...but no answers. I'm not terribly reasurred by Australian competencies in the level of neurology and of course Im terrified its ALS.
Let me know if you get any more info, I'd be very interested.
Let me know if you get any more info, I'd be very interested.
I have been having some back pain for the past 7 weeks now. I have been seeing a chiropracter for about 5 weeks. The pain would occuring while i am sleeping. It occurs in the midsection of the back at a particular point. It is painful enough that it would wake me up and keep me up. It has gotten alot better but there are still days where it can be really bad. I did have an X-ray on my back which appeared normal. The back pain would stop about an hour after i get up. The only time that it seems to occurr is when I have been laying flat on my back.
Hi my symptoms started four years ago and are amazingly similar
now things have got worse. Doctors thought it might have been stress but i had an mri scan last year which showed up inflamation on the spinal cord. Hope this is not the case with you but if it continues i would seek further medical opinions.
I hope things improve for you.
now things have got worse. Doctors thought it might have been stress but i had an mri scan last year which showed up inflamation on the spinal cord. Hope this is not the case with you but if it continues i would seek further medical opinions.
I hope things improve for you.
Dear John K:
I hope things are just anxiety. But, in many cases, we can make a difference in outcome if it is a worrisome problem.
CCF Neuro MD
I hope things are just anxiety. But, in many cases, we can make a difference in outcome if it is a worrisome problem.
CCF Neuro MD
Hey John
are you a heavy computer user. If you are, it looks like the early stages of RSI or Cumulative trauma disorder. I had very similar symptoms and they were not properly diagnosed. I ended up with serious disability. Please see a doctor who understands these things.
Good Luck
are you a heavy computer user. If you are, it looks like the early stages of RSI or Cumulative trauma disorder. I had very similar symptoms and they were not properly diagnosed. I ended up with serious disability. Please see a doctor who understands these things.
Good Luck
John some days im real good, others more noticable. I dont think with ALS you get improvement, I think its a steady drop. Im betting its stress. Take care
Hi John,
I have basically the exact same things you do and it started about 6 weeks ago. I twitch in the calfs, arms, shoudler, back eyelid, hand you name it. I also have those odd pains you describe, like a muscle pull yet you did not pull it. I dont think im weaker, I can still do everything the same, just bothersome. I was wondering what weaker would mean, like achey or actually you cannot use the muscle? I am high stress now and the more stress the worse the twitches, really notieable upon awakening or goign to bed. John keep us posted.
I have basically the exact same things you do and it started about 6 weeks ago. I twitch in the calfs, arms, shoudler, back eyelid, hand you name it. I also have those odd pains you describe, like a muscle pull yet you did not pull it. I dont think im weaker, I can still do everything the same, just bothersome. I was wondering what weaker would mean, like achey or actually you cannot use the muscle? I am high stress now and the more stress the worse the twitches, really notieable upon awakening or goign to bed. John keep us posted.
At this time, I think I am going to wait. I am quite suspicous about alot of symptoms comming on all at once. I am also under alot of stress. I might be wrong but i don't think serious nerve disorders would crop up that quickly. So my plan is to not worry too much about it and see if it disappears on its own. (even if it is a bad problem there is not much you can do in the short term anyway)
Dear John:
A cramp is a muscle that is in constant contraction. This would also be the definition of a "charlie horse". Cramping with fasciculations but without muscle weakness is not ALS. The cramping could be due to the twitches but without examining you I am not sure. The time span is short, but since it has bothered you enough to post, I would suggest you see a neurologist just to confirm that this is nothing serious and to calm your mind. There are many, many things that could cause this, anything for very early muscle disease to anxiety. In your age group, Issac's syndrome is possible, but there are usually not sensory symptoms (you describe pins and needles, which would rule this out). I would think you might have something like benign fasciculations. I would try and see if any friends have seen a neurologist or go to a larger medical center or medical school. Often, one can find out from nurses who work with neurologist at a medical center.
Sincerely,
CCF Neuro MD
A cramp is a muscle that is in constant contraction. This would also be the definition of a "charlie horse". Cramping with fasciculations but without muscle weakness is not ALS. The cramping could be due to the twitches but without examining you I am not sure. The time span is short, but since it has bothered you enough to post, I would suggest you see a neurologist just to confirm that this is nothing serious and to calm your mind. There are many, many things that could cause this, anything for very early muscle disease to anxiety. In your age group, Issac's syndrome is possible, but there are usually not sensory symptoms (you describe pins and needles, which would rule this out). I would think you might have something like benign fasciculations. I would try and see if any friends have seen a neurologist or go to a larger medical center or medical school. Often, one can find out from nurses who work with neurologist at a medical center.
Sincerely,
CCF Neuro MD
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