Aa
Still worried about ALS
Demiguise or anyone else:
I am still worried about ALS. I guess the twitching in and of itself at this point is not as worrisome now that some of you indicated it is likely BFS. However, for about 10 days now, my tongue/jaw (especially the joints at the rear of my jaw bone, where TMJ can affect people), has been had a feeling of constant tension/fatigue. It feels like when you have a fatigued muscle. I can still speak clearly, but the less I speak, the better it feels as far as I can tell. At some points when it feels really tired, I notice myself altering the way I usually speak to still pronounce and annunciate some words correctly when my jaw (and possibly tongue) start feeling more tired. This symptom just started about 10 days ago. I am not sure if it is related to the muscle twitching or not. As far as I can tell, I can still walk, jump, lift weights just fine (though I havn't been to the gym for a while, I know I can still bench press 225 pounds 5 times or more, and curl 50 pound dumbbells..which is down from when I am in shape). This feeling of fatigue/tension in my jaw is bothering me though.
Anyone have any thoughts on this?
I am still worried about ALS. I guess the twitching in and of itself at this point is not as worrisome now that some of you indicated it is likely BFS. However, for about 10 days now, my tongue/jaw (especially the joints at the rear of my jaw bone, where TMJ can affect people), has been had a feeling of constant tension/fatigue. It feels like when you have a fatigued muscle. I can still speak clearly, but the less I speak, the better it feels as far as I can tell. At some points when it feels really tired, I notice myself altering the way I usually speak to still pronounce and annunciate some words correctly when my jaw (and possibly tongue) start feeling more tired. This symptom just started about 10 days ago. I am not sure if it is related to the muscle twitching or not. As far as I can tell, I can still walk, jump, lift weights just fine (though I havn't been to the gym for a while, I know I can still bench press 225 pounds 5 times or more, and curl 50 pound dumbbells..which is down from when I am in shape). This feeling of fatigue/tension in my jaw is bothering me though.
Anyone have any thoughts on this?
I know this post is very old, but I just wondered if any of you ever got a diagnosis on these problems. I've had the exact same problems. I had a clean EMG/NCV but still worry. I've been twitching for 3 months now. No clinical weakness but all the same symptoms you've described. My TSH is low normal, so drs won't do anything until it falls below the lab range. It's currently .52 with a normal lab range of .5 - 5. I'm also have a full vitamin and hormone panel done in the next couple weeks as I've read that vitamin d or b12 deficiencies or hormonal issues can cause a lot of the same problems. Anyway...I'd love to hear input if any of you ever figured this out!
WOW... I have the exact same things going on as you described. It's so debilitating too. It's all I can think about. In fact, I have a midterm at 7 and I'm online looking up ALS and pinched nerves to see which one I relate to more.
But about donating to a foundation for it, or helping with ALS, I feel the same. It's like as soon as I thought about the idea, that maybe I could have it, I starting thinking about those who really DID have it. And the fact that there isn't a cure. (Or from what I'm reading anyway) It makes me really want to help. Whether I have it or not. But really, I think about it all the time. And agree, this is making me a hypochondriac.
Assuming we're both 'OKAY' and only have Lyme disease or pinched nerves (Funny how I"m treating those as good things.. but I guess in comparison..) then we should really help somehow, or get something together to find a cure. Cause maybe we don't have it now, but we could still get it (or anyone can) in 5, ten, twenty years from now.
We just need everyone to get twitching, then they'll all want to help. LOL..
But anywho, you should see a neurologist just incase I think. I have an appointment in 2 weeks about. And for the tmj, you probably are clenching. I have that too, and think that's actually where my pinched nerve is, that and my neck. SUCH bad neck pain! But my right side of my jaw is partially locked and stiff, and sore. Try massaging the side of your face, where the joints connect and see if it helps with the tension. Then I would assume that is a sign that it's just you clenching, and not a form of muscle weakness. But it's good to hear twitching comes after muscle weakness in ALS, because I dont really have that either.... yet.
Take Care!
But about donating to a foundation for it, or helping with ALS, I feel the same. It's like as soon as I thought about the idea, that maybe I could have it, I starting thinking about those who really DID have it. And the fact that there isn't a cure. (Or from what I'm reading anyway) It makes me really want to help. Whether I have it or not. But really, I think about it all the time. And agree, this is making me a hypochondriac.
Assuming we're both 'OKAY' and only have Lyme disease or pinched nerves (Funny how I"m treating those as good things.. but I guess in comparison..) then we should really help somehow, or get something together to find a cure. Cause maybe we don't have it now, but we could still get it (or anyone can) in 5, ten, twenty years from now.
We just need everyone to get twitching, then they'll all want to help. LOL..
But anywho, you should see a neurologist just incase I think. I have an appointment in 2 weeks about. And for the tmj, you probably are clenching. I have that too, and think that's actually where my pinched nerve is, that and my neck. SUCH bad neck pain! But my right side of my jaw is partially locked and stiff, and sore. Try massaging the side of your face, where the joints connect and see if it helps with the tension. Then I would assume that is a sign that it's just you clenching, and not a form of muscle weakness. But it's good to hear twitching comes after muscle weakness in ALS, because I dont really have that either.... yet.
Take Care!
Demiguise and all others who have responded, thank you all so much again for your opinions. I just woke up right now and still feel this sort of fatigue in my jaw joint. My tongue feels odd as well. Initially, my tongue just sort of felt funny about 10-12 days ago. It seems to have gotten worse over the last 5 days. Also, I don't think lifting weights is the cause because I havn't worked out for several months, I simply went to the gym once, for about 5-10 minutes, about two weeks ago because I was wanting to see if I could see any obvious weakness, etc, that seems to be associated with ALS. So I don't think the jaw cleching is it, at least during workouts. I pretty much have been leaving my jaw joint loose over the last two days due to the fatigue felt in my jaw/tongue area. The night grinding thing, that sounds possible, but it seems like when I am waking up in the morning is also when this area feels the least fatigued. As of now:
-Random twitches over body
-repetitive twitches in fingers/hand at times
-twitches that I can cause to happen (contracting certain muscles, I can guarantee a twitch, usually repetitive--- two to five twitches after I contract and release the contraction)
-The recent (two week) period of feeling of having a tongue that is possibly swollen and then tired, and my jaw being tired.
I know one thing though, when I hopefully find out that I am a hyperchondriac(my twitches and fatigued jaw are not psychological though, but maybe the jumping to the worst possible scenario is), or possibly have something that is not as grave as ALS, I am definitely going to find an ALS foundation and donate to research, etc. I did not even really know what ALS was until 3-4 months ago. I will likely carry this with me the rest of my life regardless, due to the emotional toll it has taken, which I believe is a good thing. I really can look at those who are living with such a disease in a different light.
-Random twitches over body
-repetitive twitches in fingers/hand at times
-twitches that I can cause to happen (contracting certain muscles, I can guarantee a twitch, usually repetitive--- two to five twitches after I contract and release the contraction)
-The recent (two week) period of feeling of having a tongue that is possibly swollen and then tired, and my jaw being tired.
I know one thing though, when I hopefully find out that I am a hyperchondriac(my twitches and fatigued jaw are not psychological though, but maybe the jumping to the worst possible scenario is), or possibly have something that is not as grave as ALS, I am definitely going to find an ALS foundation and donate to research, etc. I did not even really know what ALS was until 3-4 months ago. I will likely carry this with me the rest of my life regardless, due to the emotional toll it has taken, which I believe is a good thing. I really can look at those who are living with such a disease in a different light.
Hi Boostedtoy
Four years ago I had exactly the same symptoms as you - mine turned out to be Hashimoto's. The muscle twitches were incessant and I couldn't even brush my hair some days, my arm and shoulder muscles were so fatigued. Thankfully the Levothyroxine did the trick. When the twitching returns, my doc knows it's time to re-adjust my meds.
Good luck.
Hi there. I have twitching all the time. If the twitching were related to ALS, you would have already experienced dramatic and very obvious weakness. If it were to onset in your face, others would have noticed a change in your facial expression by now (considering that your twitching has been persistant).
Actually, it seems to me like you might be "grinding" your teeth at night, which can cause tension in your jaw muscle. night grinding or biting usually occurs when people are highly anxious. Also, when you lift weights, do you strain in your face (clentch your teeth, ect)? That may also be a cause.
On the most serious side, you may have lyme disease. This is not life-threatening to most people, and can be determined by a simple blood test. Some more good news, bulbar onset ALS is the rarest type of ALS. ALS is already rare as it stands. Also, you say your symptoms are in your jaw area--well, if you had bulbar ALS, you would have already experienced difficulties breathing.
If you can go to the gym, and exert yourself near normal (weight lifting, bench pressing), than it is doubtful you have ALS of any kind. Remember the twitching comes after the weakness, never before.
Amber
Actually, it seems to me like you might be "grinding" your teeth at night, which can cause tension in your jaw muscle. night grinding or biting usually occurs when people are highly anxious. Also, when you lift weights, do you strain in your face (clentch your teeth, ect)? That may also be a cause.
On the most serious side, you may have lyme disease. This is not life-threatening to most people, and can be determined by a simple blood test. Some more good news, bulbar onset ALS is the rarest type of ALS. ALS is already rare as it stands. Also, you say your symptoms are in your jaw area--well, if you had bulbar ALS, you would have already experienced difficulties breathing.
If you can go to the gym, and exert yourself near normal (weight lifting, bench pressing), than it is doubtful you have ALS of any kind. Remember the twitching comes after the weakness, never before.
Amber
Hi again,
you are welcome. It still might be night grinding. Think of this: After you work a new muscle it is usually not sore or weak until a day or so after. For example, you might be feeling the after effects (in your jaw muscle) of grinding later in the day.
Lyme seems more real (of the serious conditions)than ALS.
Amber
you are welcome. It still might be night grinding. Think of this: After you work a new muscle it is usually not sore or weak until a day or so after. For example, you might be feeling the after effects (in your jaw muscle) of grinding later in the day.
Lyme seems more real (of the serious conditions)than ALS.
Amber
The only thing I came up w/ was a clentching of teeth causing
nerve compression sort-of like TMJ while doing wk'outs. Spoke
to a DDS friend & he said some tests have shown a problem &
others didn't. Suggested a mouth-guard or ck. w/ a gym abt
mouth-piece. Maybe even a special design may be needed. Don't
know if you're familiar w/ these. I'm not & don't know who to
call. I did find a site that did run a stress test focusing on
jaw vs weight. Google w/ quotes: "weight lifting"+Ferrario
(quotes after +). Click on 1st site at top of page. Should
start w/ (The Influence....). Maybe get a guard & talk to a
trainer for referral. Maybe you're clenching teeth & a nerve
is mimicing a type of TMJ? Gd-luck.
nerve compression sort-of like TMJ while doing wk'outs. Spoke
to a DDS friend & he said some tests have shown a problem &
others didn't. Suggested a mouth-guard or ck. w/ a gym abt
mouth-piece. Maybe even a special design may be needed. Don't
know if you're familiar w/ these. I'm not & don't know who to
call. I did find a site that did run a stress test focusing on
jaw vs weight. Google w/ quotes: "weight lifting"+Ferrario
(quotes after +). Click on 1st site at top of page. Should
start w/ (The Influence....). Maybe get a guard & talk to a
trainer for referral. Maybe you're clenching teeth & a nerve
is mimicing a type of TMJ? Gd-luck.
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Neurology Community
Top Neurology Answerers
Allentown, PA
ON
Queensland, Australia
Queen Creek, AZ
Find out how beta-blocker eye drops show promising results for acute migraine relief.
In this special Missouri Medicine report, doctors examine advances in diagnosis and treatment of this devastating and costly neurodegenerative disease.
Here are 12 simple – and fun! – ways to boost your brainpower.
Discover some of the causes of dizziness and how to treat it.
Discover the common causes of headaches and how to treat headache pain.
Two of the largest studies on Alzheimer’s have yielded new clues about the disease
