A related discussion,
unexplained radicular symptoms was started.
1) there is an entity called 'Benign fasciculation syndrome' or BFS, which can occur with and without cramps.
2) There is no specific test to diagnose it, only excluding other causes, and clinical suspicion. There is no clear cause, it may be genetic, and it is 'benign' that is not causing muscle or nerve damage
3) Fasciculations in the absence of muscle weakness or wasting is unlikely to be ALS. In general, a genetic condition inherited in materanl line can be a mitochondrial disorder. The mitochondia is the 'energy maker' of the cell and a mitochondrial disorder results from deficient energy production - this effects high energy systems in the body such as nerves, muscles, brain. There are usually several systems involved at once. Sensorineural hearing loss can be part of this.
4) Mitochondrial disorders are relatively rare, and can be hard to diagnose (muscle biopsy, blood or genetic tests), and I cannot tell if you might have this or not but is might be something to think (not worry) about.
Good luck
Seeing how many people in the forum are worried about ALS reminded me that in addition to the hsiotry in my mother, one of my father's brothers also had this condition. However, I am not concerned that I may have this or a related condition, because my primary symptoms are sensory.
Thank you.
Have you, in the past year, been treated with a fluoroquinolone-based antibiotic (levaquin, tequin, cipro, floxin, etc)? If so, you may be suffering from an adverse reaction to that drug. These reactions can come on long after you are treated, and cause long-lasting symptoms like you are experiencing. Very often those hurt think they have MS, or ALS, or fibromyalgia, or a host of other maladies. They spend thousands of dollars getting MRI, blood and other tests done. Doctors just don't know how to handle this affliction, or just refuse to believe it exists.
If you are suffering these wierd symptoms, I suggest you check out the following sites:
www.medicationsense.com
www.fqvictims.org
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/quinolones