Worried about ALS

[worriedhelp]

Hello,

I am a 34 yr old woman concerned with ALS.  Recently(about 2 months ago), my right hand started twitching in the muscle under the pinky finger.  Then, about a week later the twitches started all over my body.  I have no weakness that I can tell but am having aching feelings in both hands(fingers included) and sometimes in my feet.  I also am experiencing a lot of joint popping - and my right knee is especially bad with the popping.  Also, when I extend my pinky fingers as far as I can to the side my skin of my hand bunches up (folds in). But it is the same in both hands so I don't know if this is muscle wasting or just a typical look of hyper extending my pinky fingers.  I have seen man doctors that think my symptoms are stress related, including a neurologist.  However, I know my neurologist is somewhat new and I don't know if they have experience with ALS.  I have not had an EMG yet because my neurologist didn't think it was nescessary. I am scared to death, do you think I could have ALS?

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

I cannot give you a definite clinical answer over the internet, but nothing you have told me sounds like ALS

Muscle twitching in the absence of objective muscle weakness or wasting is unlikely to be from ALS. Benign muscle twitiching is much more common, and can be exacerbated by cold, exercise and some medications. Follow with your neurologist, as time will tell also.

Good luck

[Kim32789]

I know it takes a few days for the doctor to respond so although I am no doctor, I have researched ALS a lot and I hope this helps ease your mind while you wait for his reply.  When you have ALS the twitches are from the muscle wasting away so normally you will already have weakness or the twitching will be in the same areas.  With this widespread twitching without muscle wasting then it can be a number of things but one main one is benign muscle fascilation (sp) which in itself poses no health risk to you.

[Kim32789]

I know it takes a few days for the doctor to respond so although I am no doctor, I have researched ALS a lot and I hope this helps ease your mind while you wait for his reply.  When you have ALS the twitches are from the muscle wasting away so normally you will already have weakness or the twitching will be in the same areas.  With this widespread twitching without muscle wasting then it can be a number of things but one main one is benign muscle fascilation (sp) which in itself poses no health risk to you.

[cols]

Hi.  I have all the exact symptoms as you have.  I have excruciating back pain and gastroparesis.  I have been through MRIs, EMGs, numerous blood tests, etc.  No one can figure out what is wrong.  Hopefully it will go away on its own with time.  Rest assured without weakness or changes in reflexes, ALS is not likely.  I spent months being worried about that for nothing.  Anxiety definately makes things work so try to stay calm.  I know that is extremely hard as I struggle to get through each day.

[Buzzy Bee]

In my opinion there are two possibilities you need to rule out. My hubby has had both problems and regular neuros were no help.

Tremors can be a sign of mercury toxicity from dental fillings or Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses.

For mercury problems the best doctors to diagnose and treat are members of ACAM.  See http://www.acam.org  Click on Public then Find a Doctor.

A good starting place for info on Lyme disease is http://www.lymenet.org  See Flash Discussion and click on Medical.

Hubby's main symptoms with both illnesses were neurological and gastrointestinal.

Best Wishes