A couple of questions.

[Jhubbard]

Hello everyone. I've refrained from posting for a little bit as my last post mentioned that I believed anxiety to be my main problem, however, I am back with a few more questions.

For those who did not read, around December I started having a weird shaking feeling in my left leg. It wasn't visible but I could definitely tell it was there, along with some twitches on my lower half of my body mostly, but a couple in my eyes. After a couple of months of testing my strength constantly for no reason, I finally realized it wasn't weak and I did not have anything to worry about. One day I either felt or imagined a twitch on my tongue. So off to the mirror I went...where I noticed a faint quivering when the tongue was extended. Days upon days of me looking into the mirror passed by with every day something new being seen. Whether it be difference in size...different quivering spots, anything.

Which leads me to this: My tongue definitely looks to be almost wavy at the very tip of it when I fully extend it with force. I realize this is a ridiculous way to test, but I've seen so much on the internet about what Fasciculations of the tongue are supposed to look like - every description different. I do not have the option of seeing a Neurologist right now, so I am here. Is my tongue looking wavy at the end upon full extension an issue? My swallowing feels fine, and my mouth gets tired occasionally when chewing for a long period of time, but nothing hindering. I mostly believe that to be due to the fact that I grind my teeth and my jaw constantly pops because of it. What do the tongue twitches in als look like? Where are they located? Is it while resting as well, or does extension even matter?

I am 20 years old and have been at this for months, my doctor didn't even look at my tongue. He said I'm 20 and should move on. I want to take his word - but it's so hard when he didn't even check. Any responses would be great. Thank you.

 

[Toto's Dorothy]

J,
I went back and read your posts. We are not doc tors here and can only give you our opinion. That being said, here's my 2 cents worth. I do not believe you have ALS. I don't remember anyone telling you to look up B F S (Be nign Fa scic u la tion Syn drome), that should be a good starting point. Other than the twi tch es (which happens long after the weakness), what other symp toms do you have? As for the tongue, I believe Ted summed it up nicely. All tongues will twitch if forced out, which you said you have been testing. By the way, I don't believe you can test yourself for weakness. But anyway, if you were truly concerned, you would find a way too see a doc tor instead of asking us. You have had 4 to 5 months to save money (if this was the holdout) to see a specialist.

I truly believe you are going to get the same answers as before. First thing you should do is, turn off the darn computer and enjoy life. And by the way, your doc tor didn't bother looking at your tongue is probably because he knew there wasn't anything there. Also, if you had ALS, you would have more symp toms other than the twi tch ing. Good luck to you,

 

[Jhubbard]

Other than the twitches and the jaw thing I mentioned... Nothing really. I remember reading that all tongues twitch when forced out, but it's more so the waving thing that has got me scared now. As ridiculous as that may seem. Is it really so unheard that someone my age would have bulbar onset that my doctor wouldn't even give it a glance? Also, I appreciate you taking the time to go back and read my older posts. Thank you for your response.

 

[trfogey]

Jhubbard,

Everyone's tongue quivers when extended. It's not a customary and relaxed position for the tongue. By attempting to fully extend your tongue, you are working those muscles in an unnatural way and muscles often twitch when we ask them to do things that brush up against the muscles' naturally designed limits.

And you are right about one thing -- all of the tests that you are trying to use in testing your body are a waste of your time and potentially dangerous to you.

Good luck to you.

 

[notme]

In layman's terms--with no slurred speech or other throat symptoms--absolutely positively nothing to worry about. You're too darn young to be even thinking about ALS.

Health anxiety as trfogey suggested, is harmful in many ways!