twitching all over for 2 months fear of als

[shark2110]

hello, im a 33 yr old male who has been having twitching bodywide for about 2 1/2 months now, i havent noticed any weakness or atrophy but this twitching is driving me crazy, i seem to only twitch when sitting down or laying down and there pretty much bodywide but mostly in my legs. The problem is i just started a new job and have to wait to get my insurance or i would have already went, it started with a single eyelid twitch then progressed everywhere i dont really have pain but my legs get occassionally sore but not weak but i am worried about als its a scary disease. my question is does this sound serious? i know you can not dx me over the internet but as soon as i get my insurance i am going to the dr. i dont seem to have any other problems and for some reason when im working i dont seem to twitch much at all, i do have a sit down desk job but maybe cause im busy i dont realize it, can you at least recommend something i can try until i can get to the dr. any advice would be greatly appreciated..thanks for your time

[Chill52]

I have had the same twitching and anxiety about me or als. I have found the cure for me after three years of constant twitching. Heavy metal detox. I follow Andrew William detox recipe and I am 90 percent free of twitches in three weeks. Wild blueberries, , cilantro, dulse, Hawaiian spirulina, wheat grass juice powder. Look it up it’s anazing!!

[Quixotic1]

Twitching like that is called myoclonus.  It's the same thing that causes the sudden startle/jump that some people have when they are just falling or awakening from sleep.  It's also what causes hiccups, some of the symptoms in restless leg syndrome, the jump when you are startled.  So you can see that most people have some experience with myoclonus.

It is often benign and will self resolve.  Sometimes it is benign and will persist and it can be a medication side effect, a metabolic side effect, or a neuro-muscular problem.  

You should seek additional evaluation for it if it progresses significantly or adversely affects your quality of life - other than just worring if it means something.  I'm going to give you a nice discussion of it, but don't start thinking that you have every one of the disorders mentioned...Please!

BTW,  many med students develop symptoms of the major diseases they study about, lol.  Fatigue, worry, a general exaggerated concern for one's own health, and a little knowledge can produce a whole host of symptoms and new worries.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/myoclonus/DS00754/DSECTION=1

Good luck, Quix

[zac111]

what is twithing across the joint i have had the muscle above my finger twith and cause my whole finger to move but they told me i dont have als.

[Quixotic1]

I'm going to repeat what I said above.  Twitches (fasciculations)  occur LATE in ALS.  You will notice muscle weakness and atrophy before the twitching starts and then it is not typically all over, but in the affected limbs.  Google "benign fasciculation syndrome."  Read about it and it will probably allay some of you anxiety.  Then see the neuro.

All the best, Quix

[EJ47]

this is so bizarre. i am a 35 yo w/f and have the EXACT same thing, 2 months allover twitching, even in my abdomen sometimes, its not constant but when i am in certain positions or after jumping up then sitting back down. i too am soooo concerned about ALS and awaiting a neuro consult. My PCP was not one bit helpful, scared me more than anything. of course i know logically he couldnt say 100% not als but he said, "now you know i cant say that but i doubt it" lets just wait and see if more symptoms develop! I have 2 little boys and am soooo worried.

[shark2110]

i want to thank you very much for your helpful advice and i have read many posts, i always make sure i can still lift and move stuff with no problem just to make sure which helps me ease my mind a bit while i wait to see a neuro. funny how some days there are not many at all then other's its a constant bother but again thank you so much for your input, guess im just anxious to get to a dr and see what is going on if anything at all... thanks again!!

[Quixotic1]

What you are describing is really a very common problem.   And it really does drive people nuts.  What you are, of course, worried about is something serious like ALS.  While I can't tell you what you have, I can tell you that "fasciculations" (muscle twitches that don't cause movement across a joint) are common.  They can occur in many different situations including anxiety states and are amplified by anxiety, and can occur after a viral infection.

While you await your visit with the neurologist - which is very appropriate - take the time to search this Med-Help site for the term "Benign Fasciculation Syndrome."  (click on "search" on the menu bar above),  The neurologists here have answered many questions on it.  Seeing similarities in what other people have complained about and seeing that the description may match what you're going through can be very anxiety relieving.  At least it will help you focus your visit with the neurologist to be maximally helpful.  Your search will bring up a page of all the times people have asked questions about twitches and fasciculations and what the answers were.

Twitches are a late development in ALS.  Almost always there is weakness and atrophy of involved muscles by the time the fasiculations begin.  That is what I've read more than once from the neuro docs here.  Hope this helps.

Quix