Do I have ALS?

[Onewaylife4all]

During an episode of intense anxiety about another disease (Multiple Sclerosis), my right thumb began twitching one night in February of 2007 shortly after my 20th birthday. The next day I had fasciculation’s from head to toe. These lasted several days waxing and waning somewhat in their intensity. They died down somewhat and then would only present as occasional hotspots that would last for a few seconds in various parts of my body. Went to doctor who tapped around on me and said my strength and reflexes were normal. In June of 2007, about 4 months after the twitching started, I noticed twitching on the arch of my right foot that lasted allot of the evening. The next day, it was in the same place on the left foot (hallucis brevis muscle). This seemed to continue for about a month but there was never any sort of muscle weakness or wasting despite many specific strength tests and measurements. The twitching during this time continued to be random on other parts of my body as well. Eventually the twitching in my foot stopped in August of 2007. There was no twitching in my feet for about 4 months. During this time I still had occasional sessions of twitching in various other places such my triceps, biceps, legs, calves, shoulder etc. Then in November the twitching returned to my left foot in a slightly different location only to last a few weeks with no weakness before stopping again. Shortly after and to this present day, I have noticed twitching in both left and right feet, not in one particular area but generalized around my archs. I also have twitching in my calves, legs, and occasionally other areas such as my shoulders, hands, and eyelids. Although I am not a doctor, I have watched neurological motor examinations and have tested myself extensively. Being left handed, I expected to be slightly stronger on my left side. Calf raises, quads, hamstrings, abductors, foot dorsiflexion, abducting big toe, flexing big toe, and any other angle that I can point my feet in was either stronger on the left side or equally strong on right and left sides. There is no stiffness or clumsiness in either of my feet. I can walk on my toes or my heels for extended periods with no problem. I have seemed to have developed over time a case of posterior tibial tendonitis on my left foot, possibly from extended amounts of strength testing, recent weight gain (about 20-30 pounds over several months), increase in activity, or a new pair of shoes that I started wearing that seem to make pain worse. There is still no signs of weakness or atrophy, I have examined and measured arms, legs, and feet extensively with no discrimination towards either side.


Do I have ALS?

[Krisztinah2o]

I have been recently told that I do have a  motor neuron disease and while you do have muscle twitching, the absence other symptoms suggest that you do not have ALS and also your age also suggests perhaps something else.  ALS starts at about age 40 but more common between 50-70yrs. Wasting of muscles is a major part of a  motor neuron disease such as ALS. It is common to have twitches especially after exercises or exertion.  

I am not saying to ignore it, but rather just  observe.  If you find that the twitching becomes bothersome, there are medications that can decrease them.  

I hope this helps