21 year old male, anxious

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21anxious

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Joined
Dec 7, 2024
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6
Reason
Learn about ALS
Diagnosis
00/0000
Country
CA
State
TO
I am 21 years old, not physically active, sitting for hours and hours playing video games since my childhood.
Experiencing Widespread Fasciculations for 4 months now, started on the left arm and spread to the legs, back, shoulders and arms.

I also recognize some kind of fatigue when reaching with my arms outwards, such as lifting something from a shelf, or doing very minimal extortion using my triceps/shoulders muscles.

Was at 2 neurologists that checked me 1 month after fasciculations and 3 months after fasciculations, both performed an exam that included reflexes, coordination, strength test and it was all normal.

I did an EMG & NCS test which came back with this following results:
L. First dorsal interosseous - Normal
R. First dorsal interosseous - Normal
L . Extensor digitorum communis - Normal
R . Extensor digitorum communis - Normal
L. Pronator teres - Normal | Amp +1
R. Pronator teres - Normal | Amp +1
L. Deltoid - Normal | Recruitment Pattern Reduced
R. Deltoid - Normal
L. Vastus lateralis - Normal
R. Vastus lateralis - Normal
L. Tibialis anterior - Normal
R. Tibialis anterior - Normal
L. Gastrocnemius - Normal
R. Gastrocnemius - Normal

Conclusion:
NCS is Normal.
F-wave is Normal
EMG with Needle test - Spontaneous, Fibrillations, PSW or Fasciculations were NOT observed.
Minimal Changes in the Left Deltoid Muscle, in Pronator teres both sides, in the rest of the muscles all Normal.

- Signs for Minimal Chronic Radiculopathy in C6 both sides, more on the left side.
No signs for polyneuropathy or myopathy or ALS/MND.


My questions:
1) How fasciculations during the test were not observed and I feel them on daily basis 24/7?

2) I am scared for my life that it could be something serious such as ALS, I have this widespread fasciculations all over my body 24/7, I am losing my mind.

I have an appointment with a neurologist to show him the EMG but it won't be so soon probably in a month or so due to his busy schedule, please calm me down and look at the test.
 
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Fascics in the test and in real life are different things. Do not compare one with the other. If they had seen them in the tests, which they didn't, they could matter, if they overlapped other findings, which they didn't.

Fascics (yes, even when you think they are 24/7) are generally benign (totally not dangerous) and your exams and EMG demonstrate that is true in your case.

So nothing that you have said or reported should lead to a fear of ALS. You have a very mild spine problem and might benefit from PT. You can ask the neurologist when you see them.

You can see a counselor, even by telehealth or text. Please go do that. There is no reason for you to be here.
 
Thank you for your response, I appreciate you so much!

1)Is the "Reduced Recruitment" part in the test means nothing dangerous and also can it get better overtime?

2)Can Radiculopathy be mistaken with early onset ALS? or it's easy to differentiate between the 2?

3) I have another EMG in 5 days I ordered myself privately, should I go for it or there is no need?

I am going to be honest with you, I am very scared it could be an early sign of ALS or the way it develops.
 
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Hey it's me again, I am sorry to write here again but I started to realize that I have desire to swallow more than usual and it's getting a bit "harder" to swallow and for some reason I am more aware of it, also I feel there is like a little ball in my throat is that something that I should be concerned with my EMG findings?
 
No. Sounds like globus. Not a sign of als. Can be a number of things like anxiety or acid reflux
 
I see thank you Nikki.

So twitching is still occuring on daily basis for me more on my left deltoid and forearms both arms where those emg findings are, isnt it a bit concerning to twitch where the emg showed abnormalities?

And in your opinion should I go for a second EMG or this should be sufficient?

I am extremely deep in the rabbit hole, not knowing what my future holds which is scary, i keep visiting forums and checking online which is a major symptom for health anxiety, I will take care of it but all I can think about is about my symptoms that still occur on daily basis.
 
I personally do not think you need another emg. I doubt you even needed one. It obviously has not reassured you. I suggest you block an the als sites you visit and get help for your anxiety. Even if you get past this fear anxiety can ruin your life. You are so young and have so much potential

Make a plan to change. Limit screen time and video games. Go out and do things. Maybe volunteer somewhere

Good luck
 
Appreciate your kind words once again Nikki,

So just to wrap this thread up (because I really feel like I am annoying at this point) those will be my last final 2 questions.

1) My twitching hotspots Left Upper-Arm/Deltoid & Right Arm & Calves alongside some Triceps/Deltoids fatigue when reaching to something, are not a cause of concern after 4 months of fasciculations on daily basis every few minutes?

2) Can the “Reduced Recruitment” in the Left Deltoid (The biggest twitching hotspot of mine) could indicate of the beginning of it and it will spread over?

Thanks once again and I wish you a Merry Christmas!
 
Correct and no.

You can keep chasing a dx that nobody wants, or joyfully accept that you have BFS that physical inactivity and sitting in one position for long periods have likely made worse, and probably tweaked your L deltoid in the bargain. All this is very reversible by following the steps that Nikki outlined.
 
Sorry I am back on here again I really hoped to leave this behind me, I am even trying hard to ignore my fasciculations that I get on daily basis, but something odd happened to me in the last 2 days, my tongue feels a bit unbalanced and I still have crazy fasciculations mainly in my left deltoid.

Also every time I stick my tongue out it, there is a visible crazy fasciculations, I don't feel them but they are extremely visible like non stop and when I say nonstop I actually mean by it.

My most concerning symptom that I realized lately is that I have difficulty articulating certain sounds or words, especially consonants like "S" or "R" and I am scared to death it can be a part of bulbar onset, I am terrified.
 
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We've really provided you much in the way of information, advice and reassurance already. If that is not enough to provide you with the reassurance you need here, then you must return to your doctor. If you would like medical advice, your doctor is the person to go to. We only deal with ALS here, and what you are looking for is not actually leading to a diagnosis of ALS- we really can't help you much further. You must show your doctor what you are talking about and get their medical opinion.

It's pretty clear you have an overpowering fear of ALS and are circling back here repeatedly to get reassurance. It's like an itch you keep scratching at, but not getting to the cause of it. To do that you must work with your doctor to track down any physical issues, and also find someone who can help you with the deeper cause of anxieties- neither of which are things we do here.

To help you with disengaging with this forum, I will be closing your thread. Please, no more posting here, it's not the place for you (that's a good thing!) and won't be able to provide you with what you need.

Please take care.
 
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