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Neurology (Expert Forum)
Twitching, cramping,facial stiffness...
This forum is for questions and support regarding neurology issues such as: Alzheimer's Disease, ALS, Autism, Brain Cancer, Cerebral Palsy, Chronic Pain, Epilepsy, Fibromyalgia, Headaches, MS, Neuralgia, Neuropathy, Parkinson's Disease, RSD, Sleep Disorders, Stroke, Traumatic Brain Injury.
Twitching, cramping,facial stiffness...
by FloFlo, Aug 14, 2002 12:00AM
Hi,
I have posted questions before, but now I am having new regular symptoms.Along w/constant muscle twitching & some weakness (2 emgs were normal),I have had increased and extreme facial tightness & cramping(cheeks/jaw),and very noticeable cramping/aching in the palms of my hands and soles of feet.Random burning sensations may accompany these episodes.I have also had other regular symptoms that I didn't mention before passing them off to stress:
regular diarrhea,sleep disorders,chemical sensitivity,very dry eyes,"weighted" limbs.I have recently been studying Fibromyalgia and seem to have pratically every symptom.
1) Do neurologists test/recognize this syndrome?
2) Since it seems to affect muscles,ligaments and tendons, is this a condition for a neuromuscular md?
3) What other neurological conditions should I be looking for with these other symptoms?
4) If this is a neurology/neuromuscular condition, any advice on universities/hospitals that specialize?
5) It seems that there are tons of people out there w/unexplained fasiculations, since my neuro asked me if I worked w/toxic substances on my first visit...is there research being done to document the possible causes other than BFS? What about the loads of chemicals in our foods (millions of random combinations by the time you eat a day's worth of food multiplied by the years of eating).
Thank you again for your time. Your advice reassures many of us that are terrified of ALS.
Flo
p.s. If anyone out there has similar symptoms and would like to email me directly, please feel free. ***@****
I have posted questions before, but now I am having new regular symptoms.Along w/constant muscle twitching & some weakness (2 emgs were normal),I have had increased and extreme facial tightness & cramping(cheeks/jaw),and very noticeable cramping/aching in the palms of my hands and soles of feet.Random burning sensations may accompany these episodes.I have also had other regular symptoms that I didn't mention before passing them off to stress:
regular diarrhea,sleep disorders,chemical sensitivity,very dry eyes,"weighted" limbs.I have recently been studying Fibromyalgia and seem to have pratically every symptom.
1) Do neurologists test/recognize this syndrome?
2) Since it seems to affect muscles,ligaments and tendons, is this a condition for a neuromuscular md?
3) What other neurological conditions should I be looking for with these other symptoms?
4) If this is a neurology/neuromuscular condition, any advice on universities/hospitals that specialize?
5) It seems that there are tons of people out there w/unexplained fasiculations, since my neuro asked me if I worked w/toxic substances on my first visit...is there research being done to document the possible causes other than BFS? What about the loads of chemicals in our foods (millions of random combinations by the time you eat a day's worth of food multiplied by the years of eating).
Thank you again for your time. Your advice reassures many of us that are terrified of ALS.
Flo
p.s. If anyone out there has similar symptoms and would like to email me directly, please feel free. ***@****
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-Neuro-M.D.-JT, Aug 18, 2002 12:00AM
1.Many vague symptoms. Hard to say that it's specific for one particular neurologic syndrome in the absence of a formal examination and clinical history. Very dry eyes points to an autoimmune disorder like Sjogren's disease which can be accompanied by joint pain and can be diagnosed with blood tests.Normal EMG helps rule out other serious neuromuscular disorders.
2.If those are your prominent symptoms, a neuromuscular physician may be of help. Rheumatology may also be helpful, but start out with a primary care doc.
3.There are many rare neuromusc disorders that can be present with cramping, but again they should be picked up on an EMG or by a neurologist.
4.Depends on where you are. Harvard, UCSF, Cleveland Clinic, Mayo Clinic, U Penn, Wash U in St. Louis,Hopkins in Baltimore, COlumbia or Cornell in NY and Baylor are all good places and there are certainly more.
5.There is research looking into different environmental causes of ALS, but not sure about just fasciculations.
2.If those are your prominent symptoms, a neuromuscular physician may be of help. Rheumatology may also be helpful, but start out with a primary care doc.
3.There are many rare neuromusc disorders that can be present with cramping, but again they should be picked up on an EMG or by a neurologist.
4.Depends on where you are. Harvard, UCSF, Cleveland Clinic, Mayo Clinic, U Penn, Wash U in St. Louis,Hopkins in Baltimore, COlumbia or Cornell in NY and Baylor are all good places and there are certainly more.
5.There is research looking into different environmental causes of ALS, but not sure about just fasciculations.
Member Comments (2)
by So2027, Aug 14, 2002 12:00AM
You are not alone. I have experienced exactly the same symptoms as you describe and yes all the new ones you posted too. Unfortunately the more you think about them the more they will continue to fester. If you have had normal test results then trust them. Yes, they are not always 100% but normally they are. Also see if, when you think of a symptom it arises. I am English and suddenly thought I may have Mad Cows Disease. Well as soon as I thought that I felt strange pressure in my head and thought I was going crazy....even though the chances of me having the disorder are slim, it is the same as for example a fear of flying, the chances of an accident are a million to one, but there is no convincing when one is anxious. Anyway, good luck with the appointment and remember there are many of us out there!
