please respond; is facial twitching an indicator of ALS?

i've been dx'd with trigeminal neuropathy and took gabapentin for burning pain and cheek twitching. i had a bad reaction to the medication so i am presently taking no medication. the cheek twitching has remained steadily.

for the past week, my fingers and feet have been twitching involuntarily and i am getting twitches all over my body. internally, i feel slightly jittery, sort of like an adrenaline rush. sometimes i have shooting pains all over my body.

i am still waiting to speak to my neuro about what comes next. could this be ALS? i have a normal MRI but the neuro only did an exam in the office. Made me walk on my toes, etc. No EMG. He said my neuro exam was normal. My blood work is normal.

i'm scared! my face twitches only when i smile but the cheek muscle feels very weak. the cheek twitching started in february. the finger/body twitching started last week. could this be ALS? i'm a 31 year old female, relatively healthy, no family history of any neuro problems.

please respond. i am obsessing over this and need advice. thanks much.

[PaulMD]

Hi there.

These twitching in your body may indeed by a sign of ALS.  Other causes would include electrolyte abnormalities such as Potassium or Calcium.  Stress is often an underlooked and common cause.  Demyelinating conditions such as MS may also present with these twitching and may not necessarily show up early on the MRI.  I suggest you discuss these possibilities with the neurologist, and probably be worked up for such.  Until then, avoid too much stress and have adequate rest.

Regards and God bless.

[worried76374]

Hi Paul,

Thanks for your reply. I spoke to my neurologist today. He said it is highly unlikely I have ALS. He did agree the bodily twitches are something worth investigating, (I went to see him for the burning/twitching in my face and head) but he said ALS does not cause the type of twitching I am experiencing.

I am under a good deal of stress. I am seeing the neuro again next week. What tests are done to diagnose ALS?

[needhonesthelp]

EMG is one diagnostic tool used regarding ALS...there will be specific changes on the EMG if it is ALS.  

Weakness seems to be associated with twitching too if it is ALS, so it would be good news if you are not experiencing weakness.

I wish you the best...I have been dealing with an assortment of issues myself and have lots of fears.  Fasciculations are only one of things I have at this time but hope it is not ALS too.

Good Luck my friend

[worried76374]

hi there,

thank you for your reply.

i have no sense of weakness, though my cheek twitching is certainly puzzling. it only twitches when i smile, however it seems to be improving....3 months later!

what are your symptoms? i hope you do not have ALS either. good luck.

[Lovecures]

does ALS twitching appear randomly around the body?

or it appear in a group of muscle?

i am confuse

best wishes

[shamie0022000]

hi there,i have facial twitching or a tic not sure the how it is described as, around the bridge of my nose into my face,it effects me when i use my smiling muscles,it an embarrising disorder that i have suffered with over 20 years,was wondering have you any advice,can this disorder be cured? or helped in any way,thanks,any advice appreciated,shamie.