21 y/o male, new symptom(s)

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Ben Z

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Sep 24, 2024
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Learn about ALS
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NL
Hello, first of all I want to say sorry for making this post because this is not the place..

However I really lost my mind over the past month looking up my symptoms and “connecting the dots”.

I am 21 years old male, with no family history of ALS, I experience very strong fasciculations over the past month on daily basis in my left arm, right leg, and right arm slightly, I did a spinal MRI(back pain a year ago) which came back fine and now I am awaiting neurologist to tell him about my new symptoms that started this month and also to request an EMG to clear my mind, I am in constant fear and anxiety about the twitches because they wont leave me alone, I started to think a bit of weakness in my right hand but I am not sure if its my anxiety and stress that is causing it or I am actually having weakness..

My fears are stronger than me, it started affecting my surroundings(family) in a very short period because I stopped eating, going out, all I do is sit in my room and just think when it will progress to something worse, why I am here for is to genuinely ask if the symptoms I experience (persistent fasciculations during the day) is a red flag and a sign of ALS and if it started to someone in here at maybe the same age at me and same symptom.

Again I am very sorry to post this, I am not the type of person to go online this is my first time ever and ask about something that is happening in my personal life.

My friend passed away a month ago (really close one to me) due to muscular dystrophy at 22 years old alone which definitely made a change in my mindset how vulnerable the human body is at any age, it could be the trigger of mine but I am but sure anymore this facics are happening to me even when I am calm.

Thanks!
 
Hi there-

Put bluntly, you're too young. Your entire post is all about your anxiety and does not actually describe ALS. Please address that while you also work with your doctors to track down any causes for your (non-ALS) symptoms. Not saying there's nothing physically wrong with you, but it's not ALS- and your biggest problem, which is affecting your daily activities and physical well being right now is actually your mental health.

The Read Before Posting link has all sorts of information and addresses twitching.

Please take care
 
Hello again, I have just finished reading the link you sent me for more information, I also did a clinical examination with a normal doctor and an orthopedist (reflexes, steadiness, strenght etc) which they both told me was completely normal.

However I am afraid my symptom (persistent twitching) with its being a sudden onset means a high chance for ALS or early onset twitching ALS, I got my health anxiety from that twitching constantly not moving in my bed looking waiting for every small twitch so I can continue with my counting throughout the hour till I fall asleep..

I am only 21 years old and very scared, could you please guide me what test should I insist getting from my upcoming meeting with my neurologist? should I try to get EMG?
 
Hi there-

It's pretty clear you are extremely worried. Because you don't have ALS but are obviously very scared of it, I recommend you speak with the neurologist about what tests they would recommend, but do not insist on any particular tests as they are the expert and if you start telling them what to do, you are interfering and will possibly cause them to miss something important. My other recommendation is to you seek help for your debilitating anxiety because you are not approaching this very rationally.

I will ask that you do not post here again until after your appointment with the neurologist. It is not helpful to keep posting here as you are clearly not reassured despite being told it is not ALS. Please direct all other questions to your doctor.
 
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While you await a neurology appointment that I very much expect to be reassuring, I would seek out counseling for health anxiety, which can ruin your life if you don't start taking swings at it. If you are not up for in-person visits, there is counseling by text, voice, and video.
 
Hello, I still experience the fasciculations on daily basis, mainly in my legs and arms and it has spread to like around my feets.

I have visited one neurologist who wrote
“No signs of ALS, Benign Faciculations, EMG not needed.”

He did to me a clinical examination and checked my grip strength, my coordination, reflexes and all that for about 10-15 minutes.

I still suffer from health anxiety due to the fasciculations cause I have them daily, I am very very scared that it’s the beginning and it will progress into something basically afraid of the future.

I am constantly checking for statistics what are the odds of me having it at the age of 21 with frequent fasciculations etc online the whole day, I am very scared that it’s the first symptom of this horrible disease, I am clueless and don’t really know what to do.

I am sorry to write here again but does my widespread constant twitching means something dangerous? (there is not 5 minutes I am not twitching since September 1st)

Appreciated and have a great day.
 
Hi there-

We do not seem to be able to provide the reassurance you need as you are returning to ask a question already answered in the "Read Before"" post. You also do not believe your neurologist- a person who is medically trained and who specializes in neurological issues. Repeated reassurance seeking for a disease you know you do not have is a sign of extreme health anxiety. Please address this.

I am closing your thread. Please do not open another.
 
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No, it does not. It points far away from ALS, as does the normal exam. You don't have it.

You say you don't know what to do. We suggested that you see a counselor for your anxiety. That is a simple way to be less scared and learn ways to help yourself deal with your fears. Google health anxiety counseling and your zip code or city or ask your doctor for a recommendation.
 
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