Worried about symptoms

[Ktx]

Hi all.

Looking for a bit of advice and knowledge if possible. I am a 29 year old female who has recently began twitching body wide, after a stressful and anxious time. I was prescribed Sertraline for anxiety at this time.
In the past few days I have noticed that my left leg/calf feels weak (perceived). There is a feeling of it being cold and numb inside my leg and I’m worried this could be ALS. My GP won’t see me because I can stand on tip toes, walk on heels etc.
the twitches are constant all over my body but I am feeling them a lot more in the calf/leg that I feel is weaker.
Could this be ALS?
Thank you for your time

 

[ShiftKicker]

Hello-

Please read here first Read Before Posting for an explanation as to why sensory issues (cold, numb) point in another direction than ALS/MND. Twitches are very common and can mean so many different things, or nothing at all. Perceived weakness is not the same as clinical weakness. If you are worried about your feeling weak, a visit to a physiotherapist for a structural assessment and exercise plan to help with balance and strength may be a good idea. If the physio thinks there is something else going on, they can provide you with knowledgeable feedback about what the issue might be.

Take care

 

[Ktx]

I really appreciate you taking the time to reply, thank you.
Can I ask, do widespread twitches always point away from ALS? Especially if the twitches came first? And if it’s only perceived weakness then there should be no worry? I’m scared that it will become clinical weakness in my leg.
I have read so many contradicting things online and I want to understand ALS better and educate myself a little around it.
Thank you so much again

 

[ShiftKicker]

Wanting to confirm that you have read the link provided? There's a whole section on twitching in there. You're asking about "what ifs" and focusing on ALS despite not showing the hallmark sign of clinical weakness.

From the link:

Other “Symptoms”—Twitching
If you have muscle twitching and the internet says that is a symptom of ALS, pay attention. Twitching (fasciculations) is sometimes a symptom of ongoing ALS. It is seldom, if ever, a first symptom of ALS (especially if it is all over your body). Twitching is very common and is frequently caused by too much caffeine, Rx meds, fatigue, over-exertion, anxiety, stress, and many other common causes. If you have twitching without clinical weakness, atrophy or an abnormal neurological exam, your twitching is probably not from ALS, which is a very, very rare disease..

This is taken from the post of a member who saw Dr Orla Hardiman a leading ALS specialist. "I asked her about contradictory information about fasics being a precursor of MND. Here is her answer 1. As you know, fasics are common in patients with MND. But we don't look for fascics to suspect MND, we look for weakness, atrophy or change in reflexes.2. Fasics themselves are no real indicator of MND or any other disease.3. In most cases, fasics are of benign origin.4. I have NEVER had a patient with BFS who progressed in MND. And I had a lots of MND (and BFS) patients in my clinical practice.5. In most cases PALS don't even notice fasics by themselves. Usually their spouse, or someone else is the first one who notices them."

Check out Benign Fasciculation Syndrome (BFS) for the FAQ. Please note the forum administrator is no longer active so new members can not join. bfsrecovery.com appears to be nonfunctional unfortunately. Try reddit muscle twitch or facebook bfs recovery group

Also, see Twitching, false alarm

 

[lgelb]

Of note, SSRIs can cause/worsen twitching. You might discuss therapeutic options with whoever prescribed it, in the context of how things are going emotionally.

I agree there is no reason to think of ALS.