SOME SPECIFIC FASCICULATION QUESTIONS

[Dan]

HI

I know neuros Do not like to make the distinction between ALS TWITCHES AND BENIGN FASCICULATIONS, yet PLEASE try to answer my questions even if the answers will be relevant only for the most part of cases:

1.What  pattern is more typical for the initial twitching of als(initial!): A. Random twitches that do not seem to settle in a specific muscle (RANDOM POPPING - "a twitch here a twitch there but many of them...
or..  B. specific areass/spots of fasciculations that are widespread, but every muscle have specific spots where ONLY there , you find twitches.

*I never get a twitch again in a plcace  where It has twitched
never 2 twitches in the same spots for a long time. there are many of them, but each time, different spot, different muscle
MINE IS A.

* based on your clinical experience, which pattern is more typical for the inital twitches of als (A OR B), when you examine the patient first time. (I read somewhere that in als , each muscle has specific spots/areas of twitching, and these spots of recrurtent fasciculatins ARE found  in clinical exam - so B is more appropriate. IS it?

2.I know that als has assymetric onset by definition. well, are there cases of Benign fasciculation you have seen of assymetric pattern also? How common is that?
I was diagnosed with benign fasciculations, yet 80% of my twitches are left sided (left leg and arm) so I would like to know ,base on your experience, how common is assymetric pattern of benign fasciculations (more twitches in one side or limb)???
ARE most benign fasciculation patients symmetric or assymetric?
**** DEAR NEURO, I KNOW THAT MOST NEUROLOGISTS DISLIKE THESE DISTINCTIONS, BUT PLEASE ,  TRY TO RELATE TO THESE 2 POINTS as specifically as you can, especially to PATTERN A,B , PATTERN YOU FIND MOSTLY IN ALS AND MY PATTERN(A), PLEASE!

BEST REGARDS, DAN!  

[Jon]

I have a question for the neurologist if he/she would answer I would appreciate it. I am a 15 year old male and for the last 8 months have had widespread twitching. What really scares me is the constant twitching of the tongue. I cant feel it but I see it. I went to my doctor and he said it was anxiety and I was fine. He would not refer me to a neurologist. I have no swallowing or speaking problems and I appear to have no weakness. My questions are.

1. The cases of ALS that have occured in teens were they the inherited form of ALS?
2. In regards to ALS is reflexes only of concern if they are asymmetrical?
3. After 8 months would I now have some sort of weakness?
4. Have you ever heard or seen Sporadic Bulbar ALS striking someone as young as 15?
5. Would a regular doctor have a general good understanding of ALS and if he thought anything was wrong he would of refered me to a neurologist?

Thank you in advance.

[david]

I've been reading these posts for a couple weeks now but I have not been able to get a message in yet.  I have worked with a man that has just left my group due to ALS.  We were good friends and played chess on any spare minute.  After he left work, I hurt my shoulder and then a couple weeks later I began to get muscle twitches in my calves and over my body when sleeping.  This freaked me out matching the symptoms of my co-worker.  My shoulder has almost healed but there is still lots of tension there and it seems to have spread down to my lower back...  Could my very tight back tension be the cause?  In the beginning the twitching in my legs and over my body would keep me awake but now it has gotten somewhat better and the twitching has decreased.  But the twitches in my legs are still there and they do tend to be somewhat weak.  Yet sometimes I don't even notice the weekness and I feel fine but other times like when I wake up or after walking for a while there is fatigue and they are tired.  And it seems like when I am stressed out my legs feel weeker and my back feels tighter with a feeling of energy and the need to stretch down my legs.  I am 27 years old and I have always been pretty healthy.  It seems like for the past couple months I have not been able to think about anything else.  I am scared that I have gotten it from my co-worker somehow yet I have been told that it is not contagious... I hope someone has some input...

[MelissaA]

What site is mgh??

[Another MGH member]

Agree with the previous post. This thread is not productive neither is the forum at MGH. With all that said, I am going to Disney Land!

[barbara to pain and lortab]

I must be obsessive to have bothered to read this entire thread which did not provide much useful information at all. The only thing I learned is the Doctor is very patient and knowledgable and other people are obsessed with Dan's Obsession!

[Betty Powell]

To C JOE,
   I agree with you...Life is too precious to be argueing over stuff like this as a whole...I have learned that i cannot change anyones thoughts on the subject and all i can do as a person is reply to those that i feel i may be able to assist and not worry about what the others are doing or saying..i can see that the whole thing has not turned into my post but everyones game..TYou are indeed 100% right..Dan will have to come to his own terms and someone will respond to him and if the negative posts dont bother him why should they bother me right.....And Terri you are most likely right..I statred something over there i cannot stop from a simple opinion..I will let them have it but I am out of it..Thank You Joe and terri  Betty