Pls ???

[Alexandre]

Hi,

I read that PLS and BCFS have a equal symptoms: cramping, twitching, spasms. But also clean EMG's. How do they dx one with pls and another with bcfs?As I read the posts here the symptoms are the same?

Alexandre

[olly]

with pls there would be clinical signs of umn desease like hyerreflexia/brisk reflexes,clonus or myoclonus.
pls is progressive unlike bfs,it starts like als as bulbar or limb onset and spreads.
the spasms cause progressive muscle weakness over time.
if pls is suspected they wait 3-5yrs and follow progression before giving a dx,at first it was thought i had ms so it took over 7yrs before i was dx'ed.

[Alexandre]

If I understand this a neuro should see evidence or abnormalities in the clinical
Thanks

[Zaphoon]

Some things that are also clinical signs are:

- gate (the person walks awkwardly)

- balance (with PLS, your balance is usually thrown off)

- toe walk (with PLS, this becomes increasingly difficult)

- heel walk (same as above - it gets to the point where you can't do it)

In BFS, the above items are normal. Also, in BFS, fasciculations are common. In PLS, they are not.

If I'm wrong here, someone spank me, folks.

PZ