Twitching and WEakness: ALS?

[cwillard]

I ama 29 year old female. 5 days ago I noticed, while picking up my daughter's toys, that my left hand "wasn't working right." It was a little weak and uncoordinated. I made anappointment for today and stopped thinking about it. Then, my left foot slipped out from under me and I slipped down the stairs. Since then my right hand has gotten nearly as bad as my left. I've also begun feeling random twitches through my body. They aren't painful and I'm not sure that they'd be noticeable from the outside but they're just kind of ripples. I am COMPLETELY terrified that this is ALS. Can it move that quickly? I have an MRI scheduled today and an appointment with my GP. What else should I be looking for? Thank you.

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

ALS does not move that quickly, and 'fasciculations' in the absence of objective fixed muscle weakness and wasting is very unlikely to be ALS. Also, if it is widespread this is more unlikely to be ALS also, unless late in this disease. There are many other causes that are more common such as an overactive thyroid gland, pinched nerves, certain medications, as a benign syndrome, other spinal cord problems etc.

The hand weakness etc should be evaluated by a neurologist or physician to see if there is any fixed neurological problem in the physical examination, and to organise any relevant testing. Symptoms in three different limbs is hard to localize to one area of the nervous system, but can occur with problems in the brainstem or upper spinal cord,, and this should be evaluated promptly, for example with MRI and MR angiogram as you are doing.

Good luck

[DMoses]

I have been having some muscle twitching lately, but I think it's due to being very scared about my own health problems. I too am scared I may have ALS. I have been having some muscle weakness, especially in my calves. The same weakness happened last spring, but went away. I'm not sure if ALS actually comes and goes. I also have injured my left arm back in August that hasn't healed yet. I don't have weakness, but it just has a very dull ache that bothers me mostly when I am not doing anything. I have heard many stories over the internest about so many symptoms that people have that are very similar to your and mine and they are fine. Sometimes stress plays a role with our health. I truly hope that's the case with you. Good job making an appointment right away. Today you have to be on top of things.
I just wanted to share my own reservations about my health fears in hopes that it will make you feel better.
Take care and good luck. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

[rocketsurgeon]

I've had twitches through the years and other neurological symptoms that I've suspected might be something like ALS, so I know what you're going through.  I will say that the little bit of knowledge that I have about the disease would say that the odds are against you having it.  First of all, the usual demographic of people who develop ALS are people in their 50's and older, although nobody is immune to the disease just because of age, it is rare for younger people such as us to develop it. Another thing is that a lot of symptoms that you're experiencing could result from stress.  I've had all kinds of things, such as twitches (all over my body as well as the scary tongue twitches), perceived weaknesses, tingling, coordination problems, and all kinds of other little "onesie twosie" types of symptoms.  I've been to 3 different neurologists through the years that have ran all kinds of tests, and none of the symptoms turn out to be anything.  I hope that your story will be the same, and ultimately only your doctor will be able to determine that.  

I will say one other thing, the more you read about it on the internet, the worse the symptoms will get, so be careful!

Take care and good luck.

[wmac]

I too have been having symptoms like you as well lately and im freaking out that it may be als as well. However the doc did comment to my question and he said that widespread twitching is usually non als. (cant remember word for word sorry) its under "should I be worried". This summer I too had some weakness in my hand I couldnt even cut a melon I was too weak to hold a knife it only happened a couple of times and then went away. I have twitching all over my body like everyday and it really freaks me out but I have pretty much have had twitching for many many years I think maybe forever. I was getting cramping all over my body as well for like two to three weeks and finally that went away. I just had a bunch of blood test done and the only thing they found was that I was anemic. Although I know the only diagnois for als is from a neurologist and other test. Im gonna wait and see how it goes. keep us posted.
wmac

[cwillard]

Hi there. Well, I got hooked up with a great neurologist who belives my symptoms are the result of a topical medicine my dermatologist prescribed. It's rare that those types of side effects happen but in the PDR it listed peripheral neuropathy as a side effect. I had a normal MRI (looking for MS) and he did nerve studies as well that said there's no way I have ALS. So, I just have to hang tight and wait for all this to get out of my system.

[rocketsurgeon]

Glad to hear it was nothing more than that.

[wmac]

So im wondering if what my interpetation of the twitching is correct or not. I just browsed through the archives today all day. I think that im understanding that twitching in relaxed muscles is nothing to worry about it that right? So then are they saying that like when moving around and working if you get the twitches that is more worrisome? My twitching is like all day today and everyday, But not when im working or walking its always when sitting and relaxing or in bed. Can someone inlighten me more on this.Please
wmac

[wmac]

when speaking of emg testing and they talk about fibrillations what exactly does that mean??
wmac

[cwillard]

My neurologist said that there was something called "benign fasciculations" (spelling?) that are bascially muscle twitching. He said that about 70% of the population has them but no one really notices them until they are anxious and really pqying attention to their body.