Symptom Help

[roverelf]

Hi all.  I have some symptoms that concern me, and my GP tells me I am fine.  I would like to get some additional thoughts/comments.  I am a 42 year old male, and other than being somewhat of a hypochondriac, am healthy.  About two weeks ago, I had a viral infection in my throat.  Shortly thereafter, I began having twitching in many parts of my body, calves in particular (both sides).  The twitches are still there, and can only be felt when I am at rest, sitting or lying down.  I also have twitches in other areas, i.e. arms, but they are much less frequent.  To top things off, my sleeping has been horrible.  As soon as I fall asleep at night, I wake up suddenly, over and over again.  One night, I never slept at all!  I feel weak in my arms/hands as well.

I have read countless posts on ALS.  Some make me think that my symptoms could be indicitive, others say no way.  Here are my questions:

With fasciculations in BOTH legs, but no weakness, is that a symptom of ALS?  I read most boards that state ALS generally presents on one side of the body, not both.

I've also read that fasciculations attributed to ALS do not occur in relaxed muscle.  Mine are always in a relaxed state; is this true?

Are twitches specific to the muscle where any problem would be found?  I.e., the worst twitches are in my legs, yet my weakness is in both hands/arms (few fasciculations).  If I was having a problem with my hands/arms, shouldn't my fasciculations appear there and not in my legs?

Any comments on the sleep problems would be appreciated as well!

Thanks,
John

[CCF-Neuro-M.D.-CS]

Fasciculations, muscle twitches, are a common symptom in ALS, but can occur at other times. Twitches can be seen after excessive exercise, some electrolyte imbalances, and in a benign condition called benign fasciculation syndrome. In ALS the muscle twitches occur in areas were the nerves are being lost. Therefore, muscle twitches typically are seen in muscles that are becoming weak. Without examining you I can not say if you have ALS or not. If this is still a concern, then ask your doctor for a referral to a neurologist. Good luck.

[kwag]

You say you had a viral infection in your throat 2 weeks ago so you have not have had the twitches for very long.  It is not uncommon to have twitches ater a virus but make sure you are well hydrated.  With a sorethroat, you may not have taken in enough liquids.  I have not heard of weakness coming on that quick from ALS.  I just don't think that is the culprit to you twitches. No matter the cause, you have to focus on bettering your immune system to fight the problem.  Address your nutrition with a knowledgaable person or web site    www.mercola.com and do things to improve your sleep so your body can heal like no cafiene, no sugar, low carbs, exercise, no tv at least 1 hour before bed, read something calming like the Bible, play classical music (the best taapes are the ones for children to help them sleep), be hydrated, etc....  Your hypochondria is of concern.  It is not without affects on you physically.  We can fear something and concentrate on it so that we actually have every symptom of it and I am not saying that your twitches and weakness are thought up.  They are real.  Apostle Paul tells us to concentrate on things that are of good report, pure, honest, lovely, admirable and excellent.  And not to worry about anything but to pray about it adn thank God for all he has done.  See Philippians 4-10.  God Bless

[kent1915]

Been there.  I am still experienceing fasciculations in muscle groups.  I am learning that they are pretty common.  What I have been told by my neurologist is that fasciculations without other neural signs are not a concern.  Similarly, fasciculations in relaxed muscle are normal.  I have been instructed that say, for instance, that if you workout too much when you are done working the muscle group and they are resting the fasciculations kick in.  I have also learned that fasciculations with ALS come on and stay present, they are not transient.

I have also learned that anxiety makes the fasciculations worse.  Indeed, the more I worry, the more they are present.

Hope it helps and hang in there.  Honestly, having been there and still being there, sort of, once you start ruminating on ALS it is hard to stop.  Don't let it eat you alive.

[roverelf]

Thanks for comments Kwag/Kent.  My wife insures me that this is all in my head, and I tend to believe her, but I am a worrywart.  I have been having a horrible time sleeping, waking up suddenly over and over again, shortly after actually falling asleep.  It is driving me crazy.  My muscles are all tensed up when I wake, particularly those in my hands and forearms.  It happens so often, that my arms/hands feel weak during the day, (but I don't feel any true loss of strength).

My fasciculations are almost always present when at rest, if I think about them.  Some times are worse than others (particularly when I focus on them).  I sit at a desk all day, so it is difficult not to notice.  I go to my GP again tomorrow, so we'll see what he says.....

Thanks Again,
JE

[kwag]

Did you try the things that I recommended for sleep?  Please do and possibly Benedryl also at least a night or two to get you back to sleepoing at night.  Only take the Benedryl if your doctor syas it is okay.

[alph.]

Hi John,

That you have muscle fasiciculations will not say
You have ALS,there are a lot of things that can give
you this problem, for example stress.
You can find my name here on this side and you
can read my comments/thoughts about this.

Yes, a virus infection can give fasiculations,I was
dx with a virus infection and had a lot of twitches
all over the body,especially in my legs (this is in most
cases because they have the longest nerves)

They gave me the most problems ,when i was sitting
or when i am at rest. “in most cases this is normal”
When everything started there were days i had about 86400
little twitches in my calfs over 24 hours,i had, and sometimes
i still do have fas. in my calfs,back,face,arms ect.
I do not have weakness.

Twitches are not specific to the muscle where any problem
would be found. (for example i had problems with my neck
and i felt this in my hand and not in my neck)

Do you have weakness in your hands or do you think you
have weakness in your hands! Also this could be virus
problem ( but not common)

I have/had twitches for 18 months but they are less know,
so have patience they could be there for a long time.

Try to relax (easy to say) And your sleeping problems,yes
i can understand that bacause i had the same problem.
Diazepam helped me a lot and now i sleep well and that
is wonderful.

I know all this things (most of them) because my neuro told me.


Alphie, “from the Netherlands”